In Wells and the surrounding areas, residents are alerted to burglaries targeting car keys.

These incidents, also occurring in Backwell, Failand, Flax Bourton, Long Ashton, Nailsea, as well as Radstock, Midsomer Norton, and Cheddar, involve intruders entering homes during the early hours to steal vehicle keys.

The thefts have encompassed a range of cars, not limited to high-value brands like Audi and Mercedes. Although some of these stolen vehicles have been recovered in the greater Bristol area, many are still missing.

Local police have noted an increase in all types of burglary, with nearly daily occurrences in each neighbourhood policing area this month. Officers conduct targeted patrols and thoroughly investigate each reported residential burglary for forensic evidence and initial leads.

Support is being provided to particularly vulnerable residents through the Be Home Safe home security team. Meanwhile, Neighbourhood Watch actively shares information with local communities and coordinates with neighbourhood officers for subsequent visits.

A dedicated team of investigators is following up on all leads. However, in the meantime, the police are advising residents to be extra cautious.

Recommended measures include locking doors and setting alarms at night and when leaving the house, avoiding leaving keys in sight of letterboxes or windows, fitting letterbox cages, keeping car keys out of sight, installing security lighting, and considering joining Neighbourhood Watch.

The importance of community vigilance in reporting suspicious activities is being emphasised by the police. Incidents of immediate break-ins should be reported via the emergency number 999, while less urgent cases can be reported to the non-emergency number 101, which operates around the clock.

Anyone with information about these crimes is encouraged to contact the police directly, or anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information.