A raft of unusual suspects were arrested in Bury St Edmunds today as famous local faces were locked-up in aid of charity.

Councillors, headteachers and even the county’s police and crime commissioner Tim Passmore all gave up their freedom in the creative Jail and Bail fundraising effort for St Nicholas Hospice Care.

Among the list of charges for the dodgy dozen of charitable criminals were excessive use of social media, drinking too much tea and sunning themselves on Greek beaches - an accusation levelled at West Suffolk College principal Nikos Savvas, who was arrested by officers at the college this morning.

But the bandits’ blushes were all in aid of a good cause as their efforts to meet the £500 ‘bail’ netted the hospice more than £12,000.

Abby Mayes, St Nicholas Hospice Care’s corporate fundraiser, said: “I’m happy to say that every one of our suspects raised the £500 bail money they needed to be released, and all 12 are now back on the streets of west Suffolk.

“The fact that Jail and Bail raised £12,000 is amazing. These funds will help the hospice to support people facing life-shortening illnesses, and their families.”

Police swooped on the reprobates and brought them to the Police Investigation Centre in Rougham Road, where they had their fingerprints and mugshots taken, as well as enjoying prison grub.

Among the others arrested were borough and county councillor Sarah Stamp, King Edward and County Upper headteachers Geoff Barton and Vicky Neale, and Bury Chamber of Commerce chairman Colin Knight.