EXTRA police patrols are today being placed in areas where 14 burglaries have happened in the past few weeks – including the theft of shotguns.Detectives are urging residents to report any suspicious behaviour immediately following the incidents at Old Felixstowe and in the A12 corridor around Woodbridge.

EXTRA police patrols are today being placed in areas where 14 burglaries have happened in the past few weeks - including the theft of shotguns.

Detectives are urging residents to report any suspicious behaviour immediately following the incidents at Old Felixstowe and in the A12 corridor around Woodbridge.

Investigations into the break-ins are still ongoing and officers are gathering intelligence and also looking to place additional uniformed and plain clothed patrols in the affected areas.

At Old Felixstowe, shotguns were taken from a property in Thornley Road, one of four upmarket homes broken into in the same area by the a gang within a few hours of each other.

The guns taken were an AYA 12 bore side by side, a FLG 12 bore single barrelled, a Midland 12 bore single barrelled, and a R Tilney 12 bore side by side, and have still not been recovered.

Another property in Thornley Road, plus others in Links Avenue and Whinyard Way were also burgled and items including jewellery were stolen.

Detective Inspector Stuart Hudson said the aim was to catch the offenders as quickly as possible and residents could play an important role in helping police reduce and detect offences.

"Many of these burglaries have been break-ins which have occurred in the late afternoon or early evening and small portable items have been taken," he said.

"Householders should ensure property is secure. Try to ensure side and back entrances, such as gates, are locked. If you are going away make sure a neighbour, friend or relative keeps an eye on your home for you and try to make your property look occupied by leaving lights on a timer and a radio on."

He also encouraged people to ring police at once if they see something suspicious.

"Someone lurking outside a property may be waiting for someone - but that someone might be his mate who is burgling next door," said Det Insp Hudson.

"In several instances recently we have carried out house-to-house inquiries after these incidents and found that neighbours have been called on by someone acting suspiciously, and who appeared surprised to find someone in. We need people to report anything like this to us.

"For example, if you find someone in your back garden when they shouldn't be, we'd like to know about it quickly - you could help us catch a burglar.

"If you suspect a crime may be about to be committed please take note of their appearance or any vehicle they may be using and call us immediately using 999."

Anyone with information about any burglary should call police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.