A man has been charged in connection with a spree of burglaries targeting east Suffolk businesses and charities, which caused such concern a public meeting was held to address the problem.
Marc Nicholls previously of Hawke Road, Ipswich, is accused of carrying out 20 offences, including 18 burglaries in east Suffolk – 11 of which happened in Southwold.
Suffolk police said yesterday the 35-year-old had been charged with conspiracy to burgle, relating to 13 burglaries and six attempted burglaries at businesses, as well as one house burglary and one count of theft.
The offences, which happened between December 20, 2017 and February this year, targeted a number of well known Southwold businesses and two charity shops - the St Elizabeth Hospice and Sue Ryder.
Another charity, The British Red Cross, was also among the three premises hit in Woodbridge between January 12-13.
Clare Perkins, who was Woodbridge mayor when the burglaries happened said at the time there was “disbelief” among shop owners in the town.
Ms Perkins organised a public meeting at the Shire Hall later that month so that businesses could hear from police officers about how to protect themselves from criminals.
Members of Woodbridge’s Town Council led the session in conjunction with Insp Andy Pursehouse from Suffolk Constabulary.
Insp Pursehouse told the meeting police thought the suspects could be travelling from other parts of the country - but added he couldn’t rule out a local job.
Such was the concern, that businesses, residents and councillors discussed new CCTV cameras and keeping street lighting on later.
Ms Perkins said: “We can ask Suffolk County Council the question about keeping the lights on longer but the residents don’t want the lights on all night long.”
Suffolk police said patrols had been stepped up in the town following the break-ins - most of them late at night.
Other towns hit in the spree of burglaries include Framlingham, Aldeburgh, Leiston, Debenham, Earl Soham and Holbrook.
Nicholls has been remanded in custody and will appear before Preston Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 7 June.
Full list of offences:
Southwold High Street
• Attempted burglary at Serin Aveda hair salon; and burglary at an adjacent premises between December 21-22
• Burglary at Tilly & Grace Boutique between December 27-28
• Burglary at the Black Olive Delicatessen on January 6, 2018
• Two burglaries at St Elizabeth Hospice Charity and Observatory Opticians; and two attempted burglaries at Two Magpies Bakery and Sue Ryder charity shop; all occurring between January 7-8
• Burglary at Marks Fish Shop; and attempted burglary Serin Aveda Hair salon between January 12-15
• Burglary at The Salon between January 29-30
Woodbridge Thoroughfare
• Three burglaries at the British Red Cross; Happiness Store; and The Sandwich Shop; all occurring between 12 and 13 January
Other locations
• Attempted burglary at Toby’s Pet Shop, Bridge Street, Framlingham, on January 24
• Burglaries at Beauty at the Blue Door, High Street, Aldeburgh; and Blonde & Chestnut, Sizewell Road, Leiston, between January 29-30
• Burglaries at the Co-op in Debenham; and a dwelling in The Street, Earl Soham; and theft at a property in Woodlands Road, Holbrook; all occurring between February 1-2
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