IPSWICH: A grateful mum has today said a big “thank you” after police returned her stolen Christmas presents.

Marta Sais, 31, was being visited by her mother Jill, who had travelled up from London with the gifts.

The presents had been left in a car outside Ms Sais’ home in Jovian Way, Ipswich, overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday.

However when she awoke the next morning she discovered the gifts, which included several for her four year old daughter, Darcy Booth, had been stolen.

The family feared the worst and had given up hope of finding them.

But then police called, saying the gifts had been found in nearby Saturn Road.

Ms Sais said: “My mum lives in London and she came up to stay. She left the presents in the boot of the car overnight because she didn’t want us to see them.

“The next morning they had been stolen. Someone had gone through the boot and they had even taken a load of sweets and change.

“We thought about phoning the police but didn’t think we would get the presents back, plus mum had to go back to London, so we decided against it. Mum said she would just go and buy them again.

“However, then she got a phone call from the police. It was incredible. Apparently the presents had been found and they managed to trace my mum from a Christmas card that was with them.

“It had an address for some of her friends who live in Enfield and officers contacted them and asked if they knew a Jill who lived in Ipswich. They said that it could be mum because they knew I lived here.

“We were delighted to get the phone call. Some of the presents have gone but the majority had just been left. I think probably, because they were presents for a four year old girl, whoever did it didn’t want them. We are really grateful.”