Spate of burglaries in Lowestoft

POLICE are appealing for information after seven garages in the Pakefield area were broken into overnight on Saturday and Sunday (December 12/13).

Following the spate of garage break-ins in Cranleigh Road and the Cranesbill Road area, Pakefield Police Community Support Officer Eric Rymer will be holding a special Safer Neighbourhood Team street meeting in the road between 10am and noon tomorrow (Tuesday, December 15).

Residents will be able to talk to Eric and to get crime reduction advice, and if you live in the area you're invited along.

Two pedal cycles - a mans white mountain bike and a ladies gold hybrid bike with black panniers - were stolen from a garage in Cranesbill Road between 2.30pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday and bottles of cider and power tools - including a cordless hammer drill, a grey coloured cordless drill, a soldering gun kit in a case, a silver/ grey circular saw and two 30-metre long extension cables - were stolen from another garage in the same road between 10.30pm and 6.45am.

A search was made of three other garages in Cranleigh Road after the burglars broke in but nothing appears to have been stolen. An attempt was made to gain entry to a fourth by breaking in but this was unsuccessful.

A microwave oven was stolen from another garage in Cranleigh Road between 4pm and 9am but this was later found elsewhere in the road and returned to its owner.

In several cases cars left insecure in the garages were also searched.

'Police are urging residents to take extra security precautions to protect garages, sheds and any other outbuildings,' a police spokesman said. 'Please ensure garages and sheds are locked, and that items inside are secured, and consider fitting a shed/garage alarm.'

Anyone who would like further advice on protecting their property can contact their local Suffolk Police Crime Reduction Officer on the same number.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents or the offenders should telephone Lowestoft police on 01986 835300.