BUNGLING burglars who targeted a village store in an overnight raid were left empty-handed when a stolen safe fell off the back of their getaway vehicle.

By John Howard

BUNGLING burglars who targeted a village store in an overnight raid were left empty-handed when a stolen safe fell off the back of their getaway vehicle.

Police are hunting the three masked raiders – one whom they said was armed with a golf club – who broke into the Co-op store in Brantham at 1.30am yesterday.

They stole a cash safe from the store, in Acacia Court, and loaded it on to the trailer of their getaway car, to head off on the A137 towards Ipswich.

But eyewitnesses said the trailer door dropped down as they hurriedly pulled away from a grass verge outside the store and, soon after, the safe fell off the back. It was then recovered by police.

One resident said: "They had parked outside the shop, and got in through the door. As they pulled off the rough grass the flap fell down and as they turned right further up the road, the safe fell off."

Other neighbours were woken by the alarm sounding at the Co-op, which was targeted for the second time this year.

Inspector Jim White, a control room inspector with Suffolk Constabulary, said all three raiders wore masks during the raid and one carried a golf club.

"The safe fell from the vehicle and has since been recovered. They got away with nothing, although they caused some damage," he added.

It was unclear exactly what type of vehicle was used during the raid yesterday, but officers were at the scene carrying out house-to-house enquiries to build up a clearer picture.

No one was hurt or threatened during the incident, with witnesses keeping a safe distance.

Staff at the Co-op confirmed there had been an incident at the store during the weekend, but declined to comment on the break-in yesterday, the second time this year raiders have burgled the store.

During January burglars fled empty-handed when they tried to break into the Co-op store during the night.

Two men had attempted to break-in at the store shortly before midnight on January 23, but fled when its alarm was triggered.

Suffolk Constabulary are appealing for witnesses to yesterday's raid. Anyone who saw people acting suspiciously in the area in the days running up to the break-in, or anyone with any information about the burglary, is asked to contact Ipswich CID on 01473 613500.