SMALL mounds of pebbles could be linked to crime in Windsor and Maidenhead.

That’s according to a police chief from the borough, who has warned residents about what the collections of stones could mean.

This comes after the owners of a property on York Avenue in Windsor reported noticing small mounds of pebbles on the pavement outside their house on a few days in July.

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Jeffrey Pick, Police, Community Engagement and Resilience Officer for Windsor & Maidenhead, said the owners realised the pebbles were in a different place each day.

According to the owners’ research, they have discovered this could possibly be a check carried out by prospective burglars to establish comings and goings at homes.

Mr Pick said a similar thing has occurred in the Bristol and Avon police area.

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In 2018, Nick Gough, from Bristol neighbourhood watch told the Sun: "Distinctive stones are believed to have been left outside of properties which look unoccupied.

"This includes stones being left under rear tyres of some cars, possibly to act as a test for homeowner activity at the address."

A message posted by Mr Pick quotes crime reference number 43210330115.

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Residents can get in contact with police about this incident by quoting the reference number on 101 or by using the Crimestoppers website.