Police link jewellery raids

DETECTIVES are hunting thieves who escaped with more than £20,000 worth of jewellery after a string of burglaries and attempted break-ins at homes in three rural villages.

Police believe the same people are responsible for two burglaries in Hitcham and attempted break-ins at Great Waldingfield and Long Melford, all of which happened in broad daylight.

The thieves first drove a vehicle onto the grounds of a large property in Hitcham, at around 11.30am on Wednesday, before entering the house and stealing more than £20,000 worth of jewellery.

It is believed they then moved onto a second address in the same village. Although the thieves activated an alarm when breaking into the house they managed to escape with a stash of jewellery valued at around £1,500.

The items taken included rings, watches, necklaces and brooches, many of which were antique.

At around 2.40pm the same day police officers were called to an address at The Street, Great Waldingfield, where the owners had disturbed an intruder.

He then ran from the house and was seen leaving the area in a silver coloured car that headed off in the direction of the B1115.

At 3.15pm Sudbury police received another call after a man was disturbed peering into the windows of a property in Bridge Street, Long Melford.

When approached, the man ran off and again left in a silver car, which was parked near to the Rose and Crown pub.

In both these incidents, the man is described as white and wearing a blue baseball cap.

Det Con John Gibbens, of Sudbury CID, said: "We believe the incidents may be linked due to the times and locations.

"We are hoping the public will call in with information in relation to these incidents. Someone may have heard the alarm sounding in Hitcham and noticed someone acting suspiciously, or seen the silver coloured vehicle leaving the area at high speed."

Anyone with any information about the incidents should contact Det Con John Gibbens, at Sudbury CID, on 01284 774300 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.