THREE men have been arrested on suspicion of burglary at a building site in Blunsdon following a tip-off from a member of the public.

After spotting some suspicious activity at the construction site near Abbey Stadium on Saturday evening, a member of the public immediately alerted the police.

Two teenagers and a 38-year-old man were arrested at the scene of the incident in St Andrew’s Ridge by neighbourhood police, and are on police bail pending further inquiries.

It is the second time in the space of a month that arrests have been made in connection with thefts from industrial sites in and around North Swindon, after three different men were apprehended in relation to thefts from industrial estates between May and July.

Between May 25 and July 17, seven burglaries took place at industrial sites, often when plant machinery was used to prise open static containers and carry off expensive tools.

During a burglary on June 23, at a housing construction site on Tadpole Lane, two 150kg industrial tools were stolen after thieves stole the keys to an on-site digger and drove away before abandoning the vehicle. There have also been burglaries at constructions sites in Churchway, Blunsdon.

Lead and industrial tools were stolen during the thefts on May 25, June 8 and between July 9 and 17.

There have also been thefts at sites on Pasture Close, The Circle and Firefly Avenue all between June 21 and 23.

Police have urged owners of construction sites and industrial estates to be vigilant about security at their premises following the string of incidents.

All buildings and equipment should be locked securely and keys taken off the premises out of working hours.

The quick-thinking member of the public was thanked for their response by police after the arrests were made.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “Our thanks to the sharp eyed member of the public who called 999 when they saw suspicious activity at St Andrew's Ridge on Saturday evening.

“Three men were arrested on the building site near the Abbey Stadium for burglary.

“The three men arrested, aged 19, 38 and 19, have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.”

Anyone who sees any suspicious activity is asked to contact 999 immediately so police are able to respond and investigate the situation.