Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Sudbury and Haverhill van thefts results in police warning

Suffolk Police have warned the owners of commercial vans to 'stay vigilant' after 17 linked reports of thefts over 10 days.

All of the incidents, between July 25 to August 3, took place overnight, with five thefts reported in Bury St Edmunds, six in Stowmarket, three in Sudbury, two in Haverhill and one in Cavendish.

In five of the incidents the lock of the vehicle had been drilled before items, including power tools and DIY equipment, were taken.

Sergeant Luke Allard, from Stowmarket Police, said: "The effects of these crimes are significant and have huge impacts on victims, businesses and their families.

"We would like to encourage people to report suspicious activity, remain vigilant, and revisit the security in place around their vans and tools."

Sgt Allard, added: If possible, work equipment, expensive tools and any other valuables should also be removed and left in a secure location elsewhere.

"Keep note of the serial numbers of your tools, or engrave them to ensure they are identifiable as yours."

If you are offered tools in suspicious circumstances or see any suspicious activity, please let police know by calling 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.