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Crime Updates

Crime updates for May

See the latest updates on crime incidents affecting Wickhambrook and the surrounding areas...

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I'm Philippa Taylor and I'm BBC Radio Suffolk's West Suffolk producer. It's my job to search out stories that will be of interest to the county - so if there's an issue that's got you talking in Wickhambrook - then contact me. You can email me - philippa.taylor@bbc.co.uk - or ring me on 01359 271865.

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November

29th - suspicious vehicle - Wickhambrook
Dark grey Skoda Felicia Estate with 3 men in it was reported to police 'cruising' in Wickhambrook this morning. If seen behaving suspiciously, please report promptly to 101

29th - various
The police have made good progress with solving a significant number of the house burglaries that flared up over the last couple of months. Although they have not got to the bottom of all of them, it does mean that these unusual crimes should not be continuing at the rate they suddenly reached a few weeks ago. Crime scene forensics and additional patrols contributed to the early success. You couldn't really call four cannabis plants a 'farm', so maybe the plot in a remote wood in our area was just a cannabis 'allotment'. Its discovery by a wildlife group has however helped to explain some reports of suspicious activity in the area over the last three years. Last week's 5 crimes included the overnight theft of batteries from temporary traffic lights in Hargrave and four vehicle crimes: an attempted theft from a vehicle; criminal damage to a vehicle in each of Clare and Kedington; and yet another theft of a motorbike in Kedington. Please pass on warnings to motorbike owners (particularly in Kedington?) that motorbikes are being stolen in our area.

20th- Oil tanks
This afternoon (Sunday) silver Ford Ranger pick-up cruised by and then returned to stop on the road by the oil tank of a house in a quiet location in Wickhambrook. When challenged the driver was aggressively rude. If you see the vehicle in suspicious circumstances (e.g. parked near an oil tank or in quiet lane near a house) call 101 – control room and explain the situation and that it has been seen elsewhere in the area near a domestic oil tank.

16th - Catalytic Converters
Suffolk Police are appealing for drivers to be vigilant following a rise in the number of thefts of catalytic converters. Catalytic converters are being removed from utility vehicles and vans parked in a variety of locations. The Converter itself can be secured with a clamp and anti tamper alarms are available. Commercial vehicles should also be kept in a locked building or compound, supported by alarms, lighting and CCTV. Catalytic converters can be marked with etching or UV pens, and with SmartWater, which is an invisible liquid with a unique formula that forensically proves where the marked item comes from. Regular marking sessions are held across the county please contact your local Crime Reduction Officer or Safer Neighbourhood Team for details of these and current security methods. Suffolk Police are working with scrap metal dealers across the county and officers visit yards to ensure checks are made on all metals brought to the sites for sale, and that any suspicious items or persons are reported. Any persons or vehicles seen acting suspiciously around other vehicles should be reported to police on 101 or please dial 999 if a crime is in progress.

September

1st - suspicious vehicle
Blue/silver Mitsubishi L200 pick-up has been seen cruising in the area. It's road tax expired at end May. It is therefore suspicious, so if seen, please report at once to 01473 613500 – control room telling them where seen and that it is believed to be untaxed

August

24th - suspicious vehicle
On Wednesday between 1300 and 1400hrs. a white transit van reg. entered a Stud in Wickhambrook and drove round behind the buildings – was challenged by an employee. Two men: Passenger - approx. 5'4" thin build, dark close cropped hair - stated he was looking for scrap batteries. He handed a business card – 'John -07766753894' Driver - No description." Driving around premises and only stopping when challenged, or proffering business cards with only a mobile number and only a forename is considered highly suspicious by most small and agri-related businesses. You are strongly advised to discourage such visitors and, if portable machinery or horse tack was visible to them when they called, to be on heightened overnight alert for some weeks thereafter. If you do not need to be open to the public, then a vehicle barrier at the entrance to your premises is advisable. If you are visited by this vehicle, please obtain the exact registration number and, if possible, vehicle type and phone it in to 01473 613500 – control room. The police want to know of the movements of many of these vehicles and rely on public reports to intercept them

20th Ousden at 7.15 pm this evening 2 young men in blue Ford Mondeo (2.0TD) north London accents were behaving suspiciously in and around the Fox pub in Ousden and have been reported to the police. Please keep a look out for them and if seen again this evening report to 01473 613500 – control room and refer to earlier report which can be identified by Ousden and time of report.

Fuel theft
Between Friday 5th and Sunday 14th August on the A143 at Chedburgh offenders have removed a quantity of heating fuel from an insecure tank in a front garden of a property.

2nd - Wickhambrook
Police are appealing for information after a boy exposed himself to a woman driving past the church In Cemetery Road, Wickhambrook at around 7.55pm Tuesday 2nd August. The boy jumped into the road in front of her vehicle, exposed himself and then ran off through the graveyard. The woman later saw the boy with a second youth outside the community centre. He is described as white, in his mid teens, 5 foot tall, of larger build with spikey brown hair and was wearing a blue two-tone t-shirt, light grey jogging bottoms and black trainers. The second boy is described as in his mid teens, 5 foot 2 inches tall, of slim build with blond spikey hair and was wearing a white and grey t-shirt and grey bottoms. Calls in relation to this incident should be made to PC Jane Mangnall at Haverhill Police on 01284 774100 reference HH/11/1681

July

20th - Wickhambrook
One of our number has reported that a leaflet drop for scrap collection was made in Wickhambrook this morning. This could be the same chap as did a drop and returned in Chedburgh and Rede, for which the police turned out following a prompt report in Chedburgh yesterday. He was reported as looking seriously overloaded and heading towards Chevington yesterday, but was not caught. As he tends to return for collections a couple of days later, he could be around Wickhambrook or neighbouring villages this Thursday, Friday or Saturday. If you see any scrap collection vehicle, including one numbered T245 AOH, please be sure to phone 01473 613500 immediately and tell the control room his registration number, location and direction of travel, and, if his number is T245AOH, that the police have recently turned out to try to speak to him.. The control room will let the local police patrols know and decide whether relevant for interception.

May

Tuesday 31st May at 10.40pm in Farley Green, Stradishall 3 men broke into a garage at a property but were disturbed by a passer by. They ran to an awaiting dark coloured family saloon type vehicle, which then sped off towards Cowlinge. No items were taken from the garage. The men were wearing balaclavas and were carrying bolt croppers. Were you in the area at the time, did you see anything suspicious? Do you know the name of the offenders? If you have any information please contact Suffolk Police on 01284 774100 quoting reference HH/11/1149.

18th - May
Between 12.30pm and 4.30pm Wednesday 18th May a house in Ashfield Green, Wickhambrook was entered via an insecure door and a search made of the hall and kitchen area. Nothing appears to have been stolen. Were you in the area between these times, did you notice any unusual activity? Anyone with information relating to this burglary is asked to contact Haverhill Police on 01284 774100 reference HH/11/1051

Computer Scam
Police are urging all residents to be cautious when dealing with unknown callers after a young couple living in Grundisburgh received several telephone calls from men claiming there was a problem with their computer. On Friday 6 May the 25-year-old man received a call on their landline number from a man who claimed there were problems with the computer and could he get online immediately. The 25-year-old realised something was amiss as he was already online and had no problems with the machine. During the call several pop ups came up – including one requesting his bank details. The 25-year-old thought the whole thing was strange and ended the call. The next day after logging on several screens came up saying there were viruses on the computer. Yesterday, Tuesday 10 May, the 25-year-old's partner received a call from a man again saying that the computer problems had to be dealt with urgently. He then tried to talk her through doing various things with the computer and then claimed none of these were working and that he felt sorry for her as it was a really serious problem. He then said that the only way to sort it out would be to buy a key – and became very insistent that she give him her bank details. She then realised the whole thing was a scam to get her bank information – and told the man this. He then became extremely abusive towards her so she hung up. She then received a number of calls from different men who were abusive towards her. Thankfully at no stage did she give out any bank or card details. Police are urging anyone receiving such calls never to give out personal information. Please be extremely careful when dealing with any unknown callers, whether they are on your doorstep or on the phone, and think before responding to unsolicited calls or emails. If anyone attempts to get your bank details in circumstances such as these - hang up. If you suspect there may be a real problem with your computer seek help through a genuine local business or your original supplier.

April

18th - Lidgate
Between 8am and 10.45pm on Hill View, Lidgate offenders have siphoned a large amount of heating oil from a tank in a front garden. Were you in the area at the time, did you see anything suspicious? Do you know the name of the offender or offenders? If you have any information please contact Suffolk Police on 01284 774100 quoting reference HH/11/812.

14th - Packet of cigarettes taken from an unlocked car in Whepstead

11th - Bikes and telephone equipment taken from a house in Kedington

11th - Plant equiptment, concrete mixer etc taken from an address in Kedington - ALL RECOVERED AND ARRESTS MADE A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER

9th - Another safe taken (not related to above) from under desk, visible from window, in Stradishall

8th - Potted plants stolen from Chevington

8th - Small safe & contents taken from under bed in an unlocked house in Thurlow

2nd - Theft of bicycle, from behind a house in Wickhambrook

January 2011

31st - Theft of heating oil, Wickhambrook. Total £300

29th - Cowlinge
Unoccupied building, front door damaged, french windows damaged, copper piping taken and recupricating saw taken. 

27th - Robbery Wickhambrook
Cemetery Road, Wickhambrook between 7pm and 7.20pm.  Police are appealing for information after a 66-year-old man was robbed whilst walking his dog. As he walked along a footpath beside the WI hall he was struck from behind and fell to the ground. One man continued to assault him whilst a second man took a small amount of cash from his pockets. The men left and the man searched for his dog for around 10 minutes until it returned. The man suffered minor head and facial injuries. The offenders are described as white, in their late 20s, 5 foot 11 inches tall, of muscular build and were wearing baseball caps.

27th - Burglary - Attleton Green
Attleton Green, Wickhambrook between 8.30pm and 9pm. Offenders have broken into a garage by forcing a door and stolen an aluminium trailer and two silver ramps. A suspicious blue Subaru Impreza towing a trailer with a second trailer on top was seen driving away from the property at speed.

26th - Hawstead
18inch bronze cherub, holding a duck in both hands taken from front garden.

26th - Arson - Boyden Close, Wickhambrook
Fishing gear and clothes set alight outside patio windows. 

25th - Little Bradley
Theft of red diesel from a tank, not sure how much was taken.

23rd - Cavendish
Window prised open, suspect removed float from till and took 2 bottles of wine. 

22nd - Wickhambrook
Cemetry Road, Wickhambrook.  Attempt to steal village sign.

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