We are appealing for witnesses following two burglaries in Chippenham and Corsham in which high value jewellery was stolen.

Sometime between 12 noon and 6.10pm on Wednesday 30th April occupants of a property on Box Hill, Corsham returned to find they had been burgled. Jewellery of sentimental value had been taken from the bedroom and a messy search carried out.

Between 3.15pm and 4.30pm the same day, another property was burgled in Nettleton. £40,000 worth of jewellery and watches were stolen.

As we head into the warmer spring and summer months, opportunist burglars may take advantage of open windows and doors, periods when you are away from your home on holiday, and ladders or other tools left in gardens. Wiltshire Police offer the following advice to keep your home as secure as possible:

Ensure all windows and doors are shut and locked when you are out, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes

secure any entrances to private gardens and ensure that any items such as ladders are locked away

Ensure your front door is locked (even if you are in the property)

make sure that any valuables are out of sight

Consider using timer lights or simulated television screens when you are away from your home for a prolonged period of time

Ask a trusted family member, friend or neighbour to regularly check your home when you are away

Consider installing home security devices including CCTV or CCTV doorbells, or alarm systems (guidance can be found on the police-approved Secured By Design website)

Remove all garden tools, including ladders, from easy reach to prevent opportunists using them to break into your home

Keep sheds and garages locked, even if you are inside your home

Consider defensive planting - plant spiky scrubs or plants close to fences to prevent opportunists from climbing over them to gain access to your property

More advice can be found on the Wiltshire Police website - https://orlo.uk/bQPb4

If you have any concerns about suspicious activity in your neighbourhood call 101 or report it via the Wiltshire Police website.