FOOTPRINTS left in the recent snow have resulted in two men being linked to a number of attempted burglaries in Portishead.

On January 19, police arrested two men after they were called to a house in Down Road where the culprits had been seen acting suspiciously.

While at the scene, officers noticed that footmarks left in the snow by one of the offenders appeared to lead to the back doors of two other properties in the street.

In nearby Battery Lane, another resident also disturbed someone in their back garden and called the police.

Officers believe the incidents are linked and are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or disturbed someone acting suspiciously that day.

Detective Constable Steve Webb said: “We are urging local residents to think back to that snowy Saturday and ask themselves whether they saw anyone acting suspiciously around their property or in their road.

“These types of burglars very rarely leave clues behind so it’s really important you report any suspicious activity to us even if you do not think a crime is being committed - let us decide.

“Information from the public is vital in our investigations and will ultimately make our communities safer.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Steve Webb or DC Phil Aspinall on 101.

In the meantime, residents are being urged to ensure their gardens and homes are secure using locks or an alarm and that offenders are not alerted to them being away by lights being left off and post not being picked up.