FOREST residents have been advised to be on their guard after a number of letterboxes were tampered with in the area.

It is thought that the incidents across Cinderford and in Mitcheldean could be part of attempts to steal keys – Gloucestershire Police say that in previous incidents, offenders have used bamboo canes to reach insideand steal items.

Draught excluders attached to letterboxes were tampered with at properties in Westerley Close, Belle Vue Road, Albion Road and Oakdene.

Gloucestershire Police are warning householders to be vigilant and have also appealed for any CCTV footage that might be connected with the incidents.

There were similar incidents in Mitcheldean and at Innsworth in Gloucester towards the end of last year, say police.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said: “Residents are encouraged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity as it’s believed that individuals may be doing this to gain better access to properties or to steal the keys to the home or car.

“It is advised to keep house and car keys out of sight and reach as offenders have previously used bamboo sticks to steal them from inside.

“As well as this, you shouldn’t leave keys in the door as they can be reached and removed or the door opened from turning the key from the outside.

“Anyone who believes that they have been the victim of this or who has witnessed suspicious activity is asked to report this by calling 101 and quoting incident 276 of January 7 or by e-mailing PC Buckle on Lee.Buckle@gloucester shire.pnn.police.uk.”

One householder, whose home had been targeted, appealed on social media for other victims to inform the police.

She wrote: “Came home to find one of my brushes on the floor and one missing.

“Please check your post boxes and if you have any damage, then please report to 101 either on the phone or online ASAP.

“The more crimes they have to link, the better.”

PC Joanne Leach, of the Forest Neighbourhood Policing Team asked for CCTV images of any incidents on Gloucestershire Police’s neighbourhood alert system.

The neighbourhood team is available on Forest.NPT@glouces tershire.pnn.police.uk