Police are reiterating security advice for businesses across the Cotswolds and Stroud following three burglaries last night.

The premises of a golf club in Minchinhampton, a garden centre near Stonehouse and a factory at an industrial estate in Tetbury were the subjects of break-ins on the evening of Monday, December 1.

In the first incident, reported at 9.40pm, it is believed at least one intruder attempted to steal Christmas trees from the grounds of a garden centre on Ebley Road near Stonehouse. One offender, captured on CCTV, is described as a white male and around 5ft 8ins tall. He was wearing white footwear, a hooded jacket, dark navy blue leather gloves and a white scarf with black lines on it.

The offender(s) made off just before Police arrived and an unsuccessful search of the area was conducted by the Police helicopter soon after.

Just after 10pm Police also attended the green keeper’s facilities at Minchinhampton Golf Club after an alarm was activated there. A door had been damaged during the incident and again an unsuccessful ground and helicopter search was conducted for the unknown offenders.

In the final incident, a concerned local resident reported lights being on and damage to doors at a redeveloped factory building at an industrial estate on Hampton Street in Tetbury. Police attended shortly after 10pm and boarded up the windows of two metal frame doors that had been damaged. It is not believed anything was stolen and the incident is being treated as an attempted burglary.

PC Mark Godsland, Crime Prevention Design Advisor for the Cotswolds, is now urging commercial premises in the area to take stock of their security and make improvements where necessary.

"Proprietors should be aware that their building and its contents are at risk from burglary, theft, criminal damage and arson.

"A realistic appreciation of these facts, and their potential consequences, is essential if they are to adopt and employ effective standards of security.

"A successful raid on retail or commercial premises is likely to result in the loss of stock and equipment, and disruption to normal business. Because of this every realistic step should be taken to prevent such an incident taking place. Owners concerned that their security is currently not up to scratch can take a number of steps to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime”

"They should consult with security experts, such as their local Crime Reduction Officer, Fire Safety Officer, private security companies or insurance companies.

"Businesses should apply the advice they receive for their situation, and consider installing extra physical security measures such as locks, security glazing, intruder and fire alarms, security lighting and CCTV. They should also consider introducing checks and procedures to reduce opportunities for criminals, and produce a contingency plan detailing what will be done if the worst happens."

For further crime prevention advice call 0845 090 1234, or visit the crime reduction section of the Gloucestershire police website at www.gloucestershire.police.uk Anybody with information on any of the above incidents is asked to contact Police on 0845 090 1234, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.