CCTV bid to catch theft gang

POLICE hope the footage from newly-installed security cameras could help them catch a gang of thieves who have stolen cars worth about £24,000 from a garage forecourt.

Five used cars were stolen from the Stowmarket Car Centre in Milton Road South, Stowmarket, after the thieves broke into the premises, took the keys to the vehicles and drove them away.

David Shelley, owner of the firm, said: "This was a real shock to the system, unbelievable. We have two closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) nearby and this is the first time like this has ever happened to us."

Suffolk police spokesman Mike Nunn said: "We have footage of four young people in their late teens or early 20s and are getting the footage enhanced.

"The garage forecourt was not covered by CCTV, but their being in the area links in with the time and a lot of movement in the area with cars, headlights. We are also carrying out house-to-house inquiries. The CCTV footage is giving us significant leads."

The stolen cars are: a green Ford Maverick Estate, registration L889 OVV; a black Ford Mondeo, registration V896 OKN; a silver Rover 420, registration P625 DCE; a green Renault Kangoo, registration Y335 WBJ; and a red VW Golf, registration L761 ONG.

Suffolk police said the cars were taken between 6pm on August 1 and 8.05am on August 2.

In a separate incident in Stowmarket, thieves smashed a store window with a piece of paving slab and stole a haul of sportswear.

The burglary at Sportskit, in Wilkes Way, happened at 1.15am yesterday and T-shirts, polo shirts, tracksuit bottoms, football shirts and sportswear were stolen.

A police spokesman said: "Two suspects were captured on CCTV. We also have a couple walking a German Shepherd dog just after 1.15am who might have information that can assist us."

Anyone with information about the thefts should contact Suffolk police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.