A DEDICATED police officer will patrol a leading Suffolk tourist resort as part of a crackdown on crime.

Suzanne Ashford, a police community support officer, has been drafted into Center Parcs at Elveden after a spate of thefts and burglaries at the holiday village.

Miss Ashford, 25, said: “I have certainly got some work to do but I’m very excited about my new role.

“Having a constant police presence will deter people coming on site to steal.”

Since 2008, scores of holidaymakers at Center Parcs have been burgled or had their bikes stolen.

The total value of items taken in the past two years alone is more than �270,000.

Bosses at the firm are match funding Miss Ashford’s new role as part of a raft of security measures such as improvements to the site fence and advice to guests.

She will be based at the site in Elveden Forest along with a staff cycle patrol team to stop the thieves in their tracks.

Simon Kay, a spokesman for the firm, said: “It is no secret that over the past 12 months or so we have clearly been targeted by a group or groups of persistent offenders who come in and target guests’ bikes and, in some instances, their accommodation.

“This is a statement of intent. We are letting people know these crimes will not be tolerated.”

A police helicopter was scrambled on Friday after a suspicious man was seen on a bike after a bicycle was reported stolen there.

A suspicious-looking truck was spotted in Elveden Forest and a short time later a 43-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman were arrested.

The truck was seized by police and, following a search at a property in Brandon, 11 pedal cycles were recovered.