Residents urged to keep garages and outbuildings secure after series of mid-Suffolk burglaries

Police are urging residents to keep garages and outbuildings secure following a series of burglaries in the mid-Suffolk area.

There have been 12 incidents reported over the last month and police are increasing patrols in remote rural areas.

They will also be at Battisford Village Hall on Saturday, September 7 from 9am to 1pm to speak to residents.

The incidents include:

• Poplar Hill, Stowmarket: At some point between 10pm on July 27 and 11.45am on July 28, a number of tools and power tools including a saw, chainsaw and hedge trimmer were stolen from a shed (37/46049/19).

• Takers Lane, Stowmarket: At some point over August 4 and 5, alcohol was taken from a shed (37/46807/19).

• St Marys Road, Stowmarket: Between 11pm on August 6 and 7am on August 7, power tool accessories were among items stolen from a shed (37/47200/19).

• In the vicinity of Broad Road and Pound Hill, Bacton: At some point between 6pm on August 7 and 10.45am on August 8, a ride on lawnmower was removed from a secured garage (37/47253/19).

• Stricklands Road, Stowmarket: Between 3pm and 6pm on August 8, power tools were stolen from a shed (37/47432/19).

• Temple Road, Stowmarket: At some time between August 6 and 8, a number of power tools were stolen from a shed (37/47469/19).

• West View, Stowmarket: At some point between 8.30am on August 5 and 6pm on August 9, power tools were stolen from a garage (37/47708/19).

• Stricklands Road, Stowmarket: On August 16, burglars broke into a garden shed by removing the roof. Nothing is believed to have been stolen (37/49288/19).

• Coddenham Road, Creeting St Mary: At some point between 9pm on August 17 and 6am on August 18, access was gained to outbuildings in rural grounds and various items stolen including a ride on mower and cement mixer (37/49584/19).

• Rural property near Chediston: At some point between 9pm on August 21 and 7am on August 22, a ride on lawn mower was stolen from an outbuilding (37/50665/19).

• Takers Lane, Stowmarket: At some point between 4pm on August 22 and 9.30am on August 23, suspects accessed a garage and conducted a search but nothing is believed to have been taken (37/50800/19).

• All Saints Road, Creeting St Mary: At some point between 7pm on August 23 and 8am on August 24, a number of items including fishing tackle, bicycles and power tools were stolen from a shed (37/51000/19).

Officers are currently keeping an open mind about whether these incidents are linked and investigations are ongoing.

As a number of the incidents involve rural properties being entered by force, police are urging members of the public to consider installing crime prevention measures such as CCTV, security lighting and doorbell cameras as a way to help make their properties more secure.

Inspector Shawn Wakeling said: "We are working with the rural crime team to increase patrols in remote areas and are attending local events, where possible, to speak with farmers and residents and offer advice on how to protect their properties.

"Our officers will be at Battisford Village Hall on Saturday, September 7 from 9am to 1pm and we encourage local residents to attend if they have any concerns.

"We will also look to engage with other residential areas that are affected.

"We gather forensic evidence at every crime scene, but the vital key to catching these criminals could be provided by a member of the public calling us with information about something they have seen and believe to be suspicious.

"This could be during the hour of darkness.

"We therefore appeal for local communities to be on the look-out for any suspicious behaviour in their villages and neighbourhoods and not to disregard persons or vehicles that appear unusual or out of place.

"This could include a suspicious vehicle outside your neighbour’s house or hearing the sound of glass smashing nearby.

"Note down the car registration number or description of any suspicious persons you may have seen and report it to us if you believe it to be unusual. These criminals may present themselves as genuine callers, so if their behaviour seems suspicious then let us know.”

For further home security advice, visit http://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/home-safety

Anyone who witnessed any of the incidents, saw any suspicious activity or has knowledge of any of the incidents should contact Suffolk police on 101, quoting the relevant crime reference number.