Police are appealing for witnesses following four incidents of thefts from vehicles in Debenham, Lowestoft and Wetheringsett.

In Debenham a van parked on a driveway in Gardeners Road was entered between 2pm Tuesday 8 October and 10am Wednesday 9 October.  Tools were stolen from within. (crime number 37/61646/19)

Elsewhere, a van parked on Moores Close also in Debenham, was damaged when a side door was jemmied.  The door was damaged, although no entry was gained.  This occurred between 5.20pm Tuesday 8 October and 10.30am Wednesday 9 October. (c/n 37/61324/19) 

Meanwhile at the North Quay Retail Park in Lowestoft a Ford Transit combi van had power tools stolen. This incident happened at some point between 5.30pm and 10.30pm on Wednesday 9 October. (c/n 37/61582/19)

At Hockey Hill in Wetheringsett a van parked up had tools removed at some point overnight between Tuesday 8 October and Wednesday 9 October. (c/n 37/61700/19)

If you have any information in relation to these crimes, please contact Suffolk Police quoting the relevant crime number.

For crime prevention advice please click on the below link:

http://www.suffolk.police.uk/sites/suffolk/files/powertoolsecurity1.pdf

http://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/roads-and-vehicles/tool-smart

Website – http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/existing-report-update  

Crimestoppers – Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org 

Phone – Call 101

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999

Help us keep our communities safe.

Rural Crime Week, taking place 6-13 October, is a national week of action, supported by Suffolk Constabulary and is an opportunity to highlight awareness of how crime can uniquely impact rural communities. The Constabulary works across the county taking preventive, enforcement and reassurance action to help keep those that live and work in countryside safe.

Rural crime covers a wide range of issues including vehicle and machinery theft, domestic abuse, incidents involving firearms, hare-coursing, wildlife crime, heritage and metal theft and arson etc.  Police recognise that people living in remote areas may feel particularly vulnerable because of their isolation and are working to reduce the chances of individuals and landowners becoming victims, whilst taking robust enforcement action against offenders. Police are highlighting the issue of domestic abuse in rural areas and launching a poster campaign to raise awareness.

Sergeant Brian Calver:  "While the county remains one of the safest in the country, we appreciate that policing rural areas does present a number of challenges and that we need to work with partners, residents and businesses to keep people safe and property protected.

"The Rural Crime Team works across the county, supported by local officers who are specially trained in rural and wildlife crime matters. Developing a multi-agency approach we continue to invest in technology such as drones to help tackle those crimes that impact rural communities.

"The Constabulary is also supported by volunteers, on initiatives such as Community Speedwatch to make our rural roads safer, and a team of special constables experienced in rural crime matters who support our policing response to rural incidents.”

Inspector Andrew Martin "This week of action also provides us a broader opportunity to shine a light on rural matters that are less often considered. For example, victims of domestic violence in rural areas are less likely to report incidents and more likely to suffer prolonged periods of abuse. By raising awareness of this in our rural communities we can encourage discussion, offer support and encourage reporting. Officers will be visiting communities halls, local shops and public houses throughout this week to raise this important subject and discuss how we can work together to tackle it moving forward, something that will continue into the future.”

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said, "Suffolk is a safe county and we are very lucky to live and work in such a beautiful place, however, I believe the impact of crime is often greater on victims in the countryside due to their remote and isolated locations, making them feel more vulnerable and concerned.

"The isolated nature of rural communities across Suffolk contributes to victims’ levels of anxiety and distress which is why I am so pleased the constabulary has focussed on domestic abuse as part of this rural crime week of action.

He added, "As vice chairman of the National Rural Crime Network, I work with Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales to highlight the unique challenges of crime in the rural areas and I will continue to do everything possible to ensure policing meets the needs of our rural communities.”

Police are warning residents to be vigilant to after receiving a number of reports of a telephone scam involving bogus callers claiming to be from HM Revenue and Customs.

As part of the scam suspects make cold telephone calls to people claiming to be from HMRC and then stating the person owes money and that they will be arrested if they do not pay them immediately. 

This resulted in a member of the public attending a bank in Stowmarket this morning, Wednesday 4 September, in order to make a £3,000 transfer. Fortunately, a member of staff at the bank detected that she had been targeted by a scam and no money was lost. 

Suffolk Constabulary is reminding residents that government departments, banks, or any other legitimate body, will never make phone calls, use text messages or email to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty and will never ask for a payment in this way.

Anyone concerned about incidents should follow this advice:

HMRC Advice

1. Recognise the signs - genuine organisations like banks and HMRC will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, password or bank details.

2. Stay safe - don’t give out private information, reply to text messages, download attachments or click on links in emails you weren’t expecting.

3. Take action - forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and texts to 60599, or contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report any suspicious calls or use their online fraud reporting tool.

4. Check GOV.UK for information on how to avoid and report scams and recognise genuine HMRC contact.

5. If you think you have received an HMRC related phishing/bogus email or text message, you can check it against the examples shown in this guide.

Additional advice

·       HMRC will call people about outstanding tax bills, and sometimes use automated messages, however this would include a taxpayer reference number. If uncertain of the caller we would advise customers to hang up and call HMRC directly to check – customers can confirm our call centre numbers on GOV.UK. For tax credits we do not include customer details in any voicemail messages.

·       HMRC Debt management teams do contact members of the public by phone about paying outstanding debts.

·       Calls to and from the majority of HMRC offices will start with the prefix, 0300 or 0345

·       If a customer (or agent) isn’t confident that the call is from HMRC, we will ask them to call back. Depending on the circumstances and to give the customer confidence it is actually HMRC calling, information may be disclosed to the caller which only HMRC is party to.

·       Calls from the majority of HMRC offices will leave caller identification data, i.e. the number the caller has used to contact you from

·       For up to date advice on scam HMRC phone calls, visit GOV.UK - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples/phishing-emails-and-bogus-contact-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples#bogus-callers

Help us keep our communities safe.

A missing 24-year-old woman and her two children from Ipswich have been found.

Ashleigh Fisk was last spoken to by family at 7am on Tuesday 27 August. She was known to be with her two young sons, Zachory aged two years-old, and Logan, aged one. All three have been located safe and well today, Tuesday 3 September.

Officers would like to thank the media and public for their assistance with this appeal.

Help us keep our communities safe.

Police advice on a variety of subjects can be accessed via  https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice

To report something, or to otherwise contact Police, use the link http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us 

To report something anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Alternatively call 101 for non-urgent matters.

Always call 999 in emergencies, or if an immediate police response is required.

Police Connect Team

Police are appealing for help to trace a prisoner who has absconded from Hollesley Bay.

Ian McQueen, aged 51, was reported missing after failing to attend a roll call at lunchtime, Sunday 25 August.

He is serving a four year and one month sentence for burglary.

McQueen is described as white, 5ft 7 inches tall and medium build. He has short brown receding hair, green eyes, a short beard and speaks with a Scottish accent.

Anyone who believes they may have seen Ian McQueen or who has any information regarding his whereabouts should call Suffolk Police on 101 quoting CAD 174 of Sunday 25 August.

See link for photograph - https://www.suffolk.police.uk/news/wanted-persons/ian-mcqueen

Suffolk Police are warning social media users to be vigilant when buying and selling items online.

The advice comes after police were called following an incident in Mildenhall where a car was reportedly damaged by two unknown men posing as potential buyers.

At some point between 5pm and 6pm on Saturday 17 August, the suspects attended a residence in the vicinity of College Heath Road claiming to be interested in a car that had been posted as for sale online.

It was reported that while the victim was distracted in conversation with one of the men, the other poured what is believed to be oil in the coolant tank and an unknown substance in the exhaust. The vehicle was then taken out for a test drive by the suspects and the exhaust has started to smoke, leading them to offer a considerably discounted price for the car which the owner declined.

It was reported the suspects then suggested the victim pay them for wasting their time, which was again declined. The men left empty handed.

The first suspect is described as being of tanned complexion, in his late 30s, approximately 5ft 9ins tall and of stocky build. He is described as being bald and was wearing a white T-shirt.

The second suspect is described as being of tanned complexion, in his mid-20s, approximately 6ftins tall and of slim build. He had black, short hair and was wearing jeans with a blue top.

Police are advising those who use online selling sites to exercise caution, particularly in circumstances where payment has not been made in advance. Sellers are advised to review a buyer’s profile to check their history and that they have genuine details. If you have any suspicions or concerns about the person you are dealing with, walk away.

If you believe you have been targeted in similar circumstances or think you may know who is committing crime in this way, please contact the Incident and Crime Management Hub at Suffolk Police quoting reference 37/49725/19 via:

Website: http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/existing-report-update 

Email: ICMH@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

Crimestoppers – Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Phone – call 101

Police are appealing for witnesses and urging communities to be vigilant following a series of burglaries across Norfolk and Suffolk.

A number of break-ins occurred in various locations during the day and evening on Wednesday 31 July.

Details of the incidents are as follows:

• Between 10.30am and 2pm, an offender forced a rear patio door and carried out an untidy search. It is unknown if anything was stolen. Rendham Road, Saxmundham, Suffolk. (37/45214/19)

• Between 10.45am and 1.05pm, an offender forced a ground floor window and stole jewellery from within. Tennyson Road, Saxmundham, Suffolk. (37/45230/19)

• Between 11am and 2pm, an offender forced open a door and once inside an untidy search was carried out. Items of jewellery were stolen. Kelsale, Suffolk. (37/45187/19)

• Between 11.20am and 1pm, an offender forced open patio doors and once inside, an untidy search was carried out and an amount of jewellery was stolen. Gisleham, Suffolk. (37/45205/19)

• Between 11.30am and 2pm, an offender forced entry via patio doors and stole an amount of change and a quantity of jewellery. Loddon Road, Gillingham, Suffolk (36/52977/19)

• Between 7.45am and 5.50pm, an offender forced entry via a first floor window and an untidy search was carried out. A watch was stolen. High Bungay Road, Loddon, Norfolk. (36/52996/19)

• Between 1.30pm and 5.25pm, an offender forced entry via a kitchen door and stole an amount of jewellery, cash and china doll ornaments from within. Bergh Apton, Norfolk. (36/52997/19)

• Between 2pm and 4.45pm, an offender smashed a window and carried out a search within. A television and items of jewellery were stolen. Church Road, Upton, Norfolk. (36/53009/19)

• Between 9am and 3pm, an unknown offender entered the property by smashing a rear door. Once inside, an untidy search was carried out and a quantity of cash and items of jewellery were stolen. Damage was also caused to a number of windows. Princess Beatrice Close, Norwich. (36/52987/19)

• Between 3pm and 3.10pm, an unknown person entered via a kitchen door and stole several items including jewellery and watches, among other items. Gurney Road, New Costessey, Norfolk. (36/52986/19)

• At some point on Wednesday 31 July, unknown offender/s smashed a patio door and then carried out a search within. Jewellery and a fob watch were stolen. Colney Lane, Cringleford, Norfolk. (36/52965/19)

• Shortly before 3.55pm, unknown offender/s smashed a patio door to gain entry to a property. It is not believed anything was stolen. Colney Lane, Cringleford, Norfolk. (36/52965/19)

• Between 4pm and 6pm, unknown offender/s forced entry via a back door and stole a Samsung television and an amount of cash. Intwood Road, Cringleford, Norfolk. (36/52960/19)

• Between 6.55pm and 6.10pm, an unknown offender forced entry into a property, carried out an untidy search and stole various items from within. Stanfield Road, Wymondham, Norfolk. (36/52952/19)

As the majority of the incidents in this series involve properties being entered by force rather than because of insecurities, police are urging members of the public to consider installing extra crime prevention measures such as CCTV, security lighting and doorbell cameras as a way to help make their properties more secure.

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

Police believe these burglaries are linked and anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in these areas on Wednesday should contact either Norfolk or Suffolk police by quoting the relevant crime reference numbers.

Website – http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/existing-report-update

Crimestoppers – Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Phone – Call 101

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999

Police are appealing for information to find a missing man from Suffolk.

John Brown, aged 49 and from Ipswich, was last seen yesterday (Thursday 18 July 2019) and is believed to be driving a blue Audi A4, index number OU03 WEW.

John is believed to have travelled to the Felixstowe area but could be elsewhere in the county.

He is described as a white man with short brown hair, average build and 5 feet 7 inches tall. He is believed to be wearing black jeans and black shoes.

Police are extremely concerned for his welfare and any sightings of the vehicle or John should be reported to Suffolk Police on 101 or 999.

No picture of John is currently available however please check the following link https://www.suffolk.police.uk/news/missing-persons/john-brown where a photo will be uploaded should it become available.  

The following messge is sent on behalf of Hunberside Police -

WANTED: Frederick Addo Boateng

Can you help us track down Ghanaian national Frederick Addo Boateng?

We’re making the appeal today as part of a review of cold cases and are keen to hear from anyone who thinks they may have information about his whereabouts.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Fox said: “The original investigation relates to an incident in January, 2014, when a woman from Goole, East Yorkshire, was raped by a man during a date.

“Our teams arrested Frederick Boateng at the time. However, he failed to answer bail and has been charged in his absence.

“Despite extensive ongoing enquiries we have been unable to trace him.

“We believe that he is still in the UK and it is believed he uses a number of aliases including Nana Kuffour, Sean Frimpong and Sean Friagpon.

“He is now 36-years-old. He’s described as black, around 5ft 8in tall with a tattoo of an eagle on his right arm.

If you believe you can help, please call Humberside Police on our non-emergency 101 line, quoting crime reference number 16/66308/17.