Brook Farm Residents Association

Suffolk Police are asking parents to stay calm but be vigilant following reports of a male in a vehicle acting suspiciously near schools.

Two incidents were reported in the early part of last week, the first occurred between 3:20pm and 3:35pm Monday 10th May on Congreve Road in Ipswich. An 11-year-old girl was walking along the road when a male approached her and grabbed her arm. The girl tried to pull away and the male let go, before getting into a black car and driving away.

The second incident occurred between 3pm and 4pm Tuesday 11th May on Morland Road in Ipswich. A male in a vehicle approached an 8-year-old boy and told him to get in the car. The boy did not get in the vehicle and the male drove off.

Schools in the area were made aware of the incidents by letters being sent out to Head Teachers urging parents and children to be extra vigilant and reassuring them that local Safer Neighbourhood Teams are increasing patrols in the areas around primary schools at the end of the school day.

There have since been further reports, two of which are being linked to last week s offences. The first occurred in Byron Road, Ipswich. At around 12:50pm Friday 14th May a male in a vehicle stopped a 12-year-old boy as he walked along the road and asked him to get into the vehicle. The boy then ran off.

The second occurred in Beckham Road, Lowestoft. At around 4:30pm Wednesday 12th May a male shouted at a 9-year-old girl from a parked car to get in the car, as she was cycling in the street. The male then drove off.

From the descriptions given of offenders at the above four incidents police are looking for a white male, approximately 50-years-old, of slim to medium build, balding and who dresses relatively smart. The vehicle is described as a dark coloured car.

Other reports have been received by Suffolk Police but due to the nature of the alleged incidents and descriptions given they are not being linked at this stage. However, all incidents are being investigated.

Detective Inspector Stuart Sowerby from Ipswich CID says,

Obviously with incidents such as these there is a lot of concern in the community and we are aware of messages being distributed around parents, friends and family. While we encourage people to share information with the police and each other we would like to take this opportunity to ask members of the public not to become unduly concerned with messages they may receive via text or over the Internet. A pair of messages in particular, one detailing a white van with three males and a second mentioning a dark T-reg car, have both been fully investigated and we are confident that these are not involved. Instead we would advise residents to listen to information issued by Suffolk Police and schools.

There is an on-going investigation into these incidents and Suffolk Police are taking all reports very seriously. If anyone has any concerns about the way someone is acting or has any information in regards to these incidents they should contact us immediately. Detailed descriptions of offenders and their vehicle(s) including registration numbers would greatly assist police.

If anyone has immediate concerns over the way someone is acting and believe it requires a prompt police response they should call 999. If anyone has any information in relation to these incidents they are asked to contact Suffolk Police on 01473 613500

Some simple messages for children to remember:
·       Never take things from strangers.
·       Never get in a car with a stranger.
·       Never go anywhere with a stranger.
·       Never go off on your own without telling your parents or a trusted adult.

If someone scares you, or tries to touch you in ways that make you feel uncomfortable:
·       YELL   Tell them  No  or  Stop .
·       RUN   Get home as quick as you can or somewhere you know is safe, like your school or police station.
·       TELL   Tell your parents or carer or someone you can trust right away.

Please use the following link to pass any useful information to Suffolk Police
http://www.suffolk.police.uk/News+And+Appeals/Report+Information+To+The+Police/Tell+The+Police.htm

DO NOT USE THIS LINK IN AN EMERGENCY OR IN A SITUATION THAT REQUIRES AN IMMEDIATE POLICE RESPONSE WHEN YOU SHOULD RING 999.

Police Direct Team

There are 2 events planned to raise funds for Sax in Bloom 2010:

Wine Tasting on February 12th at the Market Hall £7.50 per person

Music Night with 60′s band Rewind £3.00 per person 8pm Saturday 6th February. Go to www.rewind60sband.com for an insight of the band.

I have a limited number of tickets to both events so please call me on 01728 605396 if interested.

Neil.

Between 11am and 3pm Tuesday 28th July a house in Lincoln Avenue has been entered via an insecure window. Items stolen include an  Xbox 360 games console, an electronic notebook and a laptop.

Were you in the area over the times given, did you see anything suspicious?  Do you know the identity of someone involved in this burglary or have you been offered any similar items?  If you can help please contact Leiston Police on 01986835300 reference LE/09/1062

OR

Please use the following link to pass any useful information to Suffolk Police about this incident.

http://www.suffolk.police.uk/News+And+Appeals/Report+Information+To+The+Police/Tell+The+Police.htm

DO NOT USE THIS LINK IN AN EMERGENCY OR IN A SITUATION THAT REQUIRES AN IMMEDIATE POLICE RESPONSE WHEN YOU SHOULD RING 999.

Police Direct Team

What an excellent year for the Fun Day again. It was so good to see a lot of people supporting the sixth Bfra annual fun day. The weather was against us again for the first part of the day, but things just got better and warmer. A big thank you goes to our almost resident Mystic Bellydancers and Hollesley Birds of Prey Raptor Unit. Fantastic exhibitions from you all. You can tell that the feel good factor hits home with this very homely fun day and that everyone has smiling faces with such a small event. A big thank you to all who attended.

Terry.

Police are again renewing pleas for residents to lock up their property after crimes across the east of the county where insecure homes, outbuildings and vehicles were targeted.

Among the most recent incidents are
       A spate of vehicle crime in Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, where a number of vehicles left unlocked were entered
       A laptop computer and briefcase stolen from a car parked at Clayton Court in Martlesham overnight Saturday 13   Sunday 14 June
       A pedal cycle stolen from an unlocked garage at Broadhurst Terrace in Kesgrave between 7.30pm on Wednesday 24 and 6.30am on Thursday 25 June
       A wallet and cash stolen after a  walk-in  burglary at a home in St Andrews Road in Felixstowe between 7.30pm and midnight on Sunday 21 June.
       Three burglaries in Lowestoft at the weekend where the offender gained entry via an unlocked window or door   one at Hawthorn Avenue between 9.30pm and 5.15pm on Friday 26 where a quantity of cash was stolen, one at Mill Road between 2pm and 11pm on Saturday 27 where a small gold laptop computer was taken and another at Lorne Road between 12.50pm and 3.30pm on Sunday 28 June, where a DVD/ video player combi unit and a games console were taken.

As warmer weather arrives, police traditionally see an increase in the number of burglaries and thefts due to insecurities and Woodbridge Neighbourhood Inspector Stuart Weaver says many of us make life easy for criminals by leaving our homes unlocked and valuable items on view inside our vehicles.

 There still seems to be a sense that there is no need to lock up vehicles or homes. While in some ways it s pleasing to see that residents feel safe enough to do this, the reality is that we are making it very easy for opportunist criminals to steal our property.

 Imagine, for a moment, being an opportunist burglar or car thief. Which house or car would you choose   one where a door has been left open and you can see a few things worth stealing or one where all the doors and windows are secure, you can t see anything worth taking, and you have to risk physical injury and a greater likelihood of being caught? Leaving your home or car unlocked can invalidate your insurance, while locking up could prevent you becoming a victim of crime in the first place   please take some simple precautions to help reduce the risk of you having to deal with the upset and inconvenience.

Locking your doors and windows and removing valuable items from vehicles   such as satellite navigation systems and stereos – are just some of the simple things you can do.

Other steps you can take include:
       Make it look as though someone is at home   putting lights on a timer or leaving a radio on can make it appear that several people are at the property, making it a less appealing prospect for a burglar.
       Things such as prickly hedges in borders, a gravel driveway or a  beware of the dog  sign can all make a burglar think twice about trying to enter your home.
       Don t leave ladders or tools out in the garden   these can be used to gain entry   and remember to lock sheds and outbuildings as well as your home.
       Consider more visible security measures such as lighting or CCTV cameras. Relatively inexpensive systems can help deter criminals and may help trace the offenders if there is a break-in.
       Don t leave documents such as your driving licence, MoT or insurance certificate in your car as these can aid a thief.
       Remember to record serial numbers of valuable items, take photographs of them and postcode mark them too. This helps police to identify the items if they are recovered.

Anyone who would like more advice on protecting their home and vehicle can contact their local Suffolk Police Crime Reduction Officer on 01473 613500.

Or

Please use the following link to pass any useful information to Suffolk Police about this incident.

http://www.suffolk.police.uk/News+And+Appeals/Report+Information+To+The+Police/Tell+The+Police.htm