POLICE are calling on the public’s help to trace two witnesses who may hold key information in relation to a series of burglaries in Royal Wootton Bassett.

New CCTV images have been released to help the appeal after two burglaries happened in the town within days of one another.

The first happened last Tuesday (May 23) in New Road between 8am and 3pm where suspects broke into the house via the conservatory.

They fled the scene with cash and jewellery.

The second happened a day later on May 24 in Vale View between 12.24pm and 2.40pm.

Entry was also gained via the back of the house and similarly to the last break-in, cash and jewellery was stolen.

Officers from Royal Wootton Bassett police are also wanting to hear from people who may have witnessed two subsequent suspicious incidents where people have been seen in the gardens of properties.

The first suspicious incident happened in Crosstrees, off Brynards Park, on Sunday evening just after 10.45pm where two men tried to gain entry into the side gate of a house.

Then on Monday, two men were spotted trying to scale a garden wall in Dryden Place.

The two people in the CCTV images are only wanted for enquiries into the burglaries.

Since putting out the appeal, police have issued crime prevention advice to residents which include:

• Locking your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when just in the garden. And make sure you have approved locks or bolts to all doors and windows

• Never leave a spare key in a hiding place like in a plant pot or letter box- a thief knows all the hiding places

• Keep all keys, purses and wallets out of sight and away from the letterbox

• Consider installing a burglar alarm, and only use a company that is registered or certified with the NSI or the SSIAB

• Do not open the door to anyone you don’t know or are not expecting. Always check by using a spy-hole or look through a window

• Make sure that you have up to date contents insurance

• Register all serial numbers from electrical items, tools and garden equipment with Immobilise.com the free national property register. Mark items without serial numbers with an artificial DNA property marker such as Smartwater or SelectaDNA

• Do not keep large amounts of cash at home- it is much safer in a bank or building society

• Trim back any plants and hedges at the front of your property to no higher than one metre to remove hiding places

• Always report any suspicious activity, note any vehicle registrations, descriptions of persons involved and direction of travel

• Use a timer to set lights to mimic your usual activity when you are not at home

• Take photographs of all jewellery including hallmarks and keep them safe. Also consider using an artificial DNA property marker on jewellery or other valuable items

• Make sure any bolts are low enough so they cannot be opened by reaching over the top of the gate

• Security lights - these can be a good deterrent at night especially if they are motion sensitive.

If any has any information about the witnesses pictured, call Wiltshire Police on 101 and quote either crime ref number *45384 for New Road, RWB or *45745 for Vale View, RWB.

Alternatively, calls can be made using Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.