POLICE have increased night-time patrols around East Swindon in a bid to stamp out a rising number of garage break-ins throughout the area.

In particular the Liden, Eldene, Parks and Walcot have seen a rise in garage break-ins and officers have issued safety advice to residents to keep their valuables locked away and to step up their home security.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “The areas of Liden, Eldene, The Parks and Walcot are all suffering from a series of garage break-ins at present.

“If you have valuable items stored in your garage that are too large to store elsewhere please consider what additional security measures you might like to take to make life harder for these thieves.”

Securing the door with a good hasp and staple and a good quality padlock is a good start. Valuable items inside should also be padlocked, to concrete if possible.

The spokesman also urged householders to be vigilant.

“Police have increased patrols in the hours of darkness in efforts to identify these offenders,” he said.

“But please remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as soon as possible to allow police the best opportunity at catching them in the act."

Anyone with any information about the incidents should contact Wiltshire Police on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where information can be left anonymously if desired.