Cops return stolen goods to school
Detectives were today thanked after equipment which was stolen from an Ipswich school was returned following a police crackdown on thieves and shoplifters.
IPSWICH: Detectives were today thanked after equipment which was stolen from an Ipswich school was returned following a police crackdown on thieves and shoplifters.
St Mark's Primary School was one of four targeted in raids last year, with criminals making off with computers and projectors.
However, following a police operation which saw thousands of items seized, the property has been returned to the Stone Lodge Lane West school.
St Mark's deputy headteacher Ali Knox-Johnston said: “We're really delighted to have the items returned to the school.
“The theft made a big impact on the children's learning so it's really great to have it all recovered.”
The intelligence-led operation, which was codenamed Operation Bivalve, saw police carry out co-ordinated raids - seizing a hoard of stolen goods which included satellite navigation systems, computers and MP3 players.
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Detective Inspector Kevin Hayward, who was heavily involved in the operation, said: “Hundreds of pieces of property have been returned to the losers and victims of crime.
“We're delighted to have been able to return property to schools, shops and car owners who have fallen victim to theft.
“The operation led to in excess of 100 people being arrested in relation to the acquisitive crimes such as the likes of burglary from home, theft from cars and shoplifting - it was a massive operation for Suffolk Constabulary which was very successful.”
The operation, which took place over the summer, was the biggest of its kind in the region.
The swoops involved nearly 20 per cent of the force's manpower and required five police stations around the county to accommodate the arrests.
Det insp Hayward urged the public to ensure property is correctly marked to increase the chance of it being returned if found by police.
He added: “People should record ID codes and correctly postcode their property with UV pens.”
Have you been a victim of crime? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
