A SUSPECTED burglar was found hiding under a bed during a crackdown on crime in Yate.

During the operation, eight garage and shed burglaries were investigated in the Yate, Winterbourne, Hambrook area.

This led police to a property in Coalpit Heath, where a 43-year-old man wanted in connection with the incidents was discovered hiding under a bed.

A video released by police shows officers in a bedroom looking under the bed and calling for the man to come out.

An officer eventually coaxes the suspect out and the man is heard asking if he is wanted by police and asks if he can use his vape.

An officer then informs the man that he is being arrested on suspicion of eight burglaries between February 21 and March 13.

He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of stealing garden machinery, power tools and bicycles from garages and garden sheds and was later released on bail while inquiries continue.

The week long crackdown on problems raised by neighbourhoods in South Gloucestershire also saw two stolen motorcycles recovered and a van believe to be linked to motor vehicle theft in the Yate area seized.

Police say there has been a rise in motorbike thefts in the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area.

In addition, a suspected drink-driver was arrested in Yate as part of road safety patrols.

Meanwhile, a test purchase operation took place in shops in Patchway, Filton and Stoke Gifford.

Assisted by a group of cadets, the exercise found that six out of eight shops were selling vapes to children without ID checks.

Action will now be taken against the offending retail premises by Avon and Somerset Police’s licensing team and South Gloucestershire trading standards.

Lastly, officers also disrupted low-level drug dealing in Lyde Green and also targeted shoplifting at Cribbs Causeway.

Commenting on the operation, Inspector Dudley Bond of Avon and Somerset Police said: “These days of targeted action have been an opportunity for us to use additional resources from across Avon and Somerset to achieve some great results for South Gloucestershire.

“We wanted to prioritise the areas of highest concern affecting our communities, including business crime and burglary, motorcycle theft and exploitation.

“If you have information related to any of these issues, we urge you to get in touch.

“In the meantime, our officers will continue to work hard every day to ensure South Gloucestershire remains a safe place for everyone.”