A HEATING engineer has spoken of how he scared off a prowler when he saw him trying to peer into a house in Bradley Stoke.

Michael Fisher was on his way to work when he saw the man pulling himself onto a front porch.

He shouted at him and the man fled, with Mr Fisher in pursuit. But he escaped and Mr Fisher alerted the householder, who called the police.

Officers have already warned families living in the town and neighbouring Little Stoke to make sure their doors and windows are secured after several reports of someone prowling around early in the morning.

Last week a man was seen in a garden in Elm Close, Little Stoke, and in Oaktree Crescent, Bradley Stoke, on one day.

As well as the man seen by Mr Fisher two days later, two other reports of prowlers in Bradley Stoke were also received by police.

House-to-house inquiries have been carried out and patrols made of the area. Police said it was not yet certain if all the incidents were linked.

Mr Fisher, 41, of Stanfield Close, Lockleaze, was cycling along Brook Way to his partner's home at about 5.15am on Friday to collect his van when he saw the man.

He said: "He was standing on top of a wheelie bin and pulling himself onto the porch. I screamed at him at the top of my voice and he got down and ran off. I went after him but he was very fast on his feet.

"The person in the house had heard me shout and told me she had seen someone prowling around before Christmas as well.

"People need to be aware what's going on. This guy seems to be getting bolder and needs to be caught ."

Mr Fisher said the man he saw was about 6ft tall and was wearing blue jeans and a blue hooded top, with the hood over his head."

Avon and Somerset Police said their inquiries were ongoing and anyone with information should contact them.

Neighbourhood PC Steve Palmer has said of the reports: "Officers have carried out house-to-house inquiries and patrols in response to these reports. At the moment it's not certain the incidents are linked, but we are keeping an open mind.

"There has been no attempt to get into any home, but I'd ask people to be vigilant, make sure side gates are secured and keep doors and windows locked.

"Don't leave the door unlocked when you leave for work or to take children to school, even though another family member is still at home."

Anyone with any information should contact Filton police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.