IPSWICH people living near schools are being asked by police to keep vigilant during the summer holidays and report any suspicious activity.Schools in the county break up for the six-week holiday period on Friday and Suffolk police are keen to prevent people targeting them over the shutdown period.

IPSWICH people living near schools are being asked by police to keep vigilant during the summer holidays and report any suspicious activity.

Schools in the county break up for the six-week holiday period on Friday and Suffolk police are keen to prevent people targeting them over the shutdown period.

The appeal follows the devastating blaze at Copleston High School during the summer holidays last year which saw dozens of firefighters tackle one of the biggest fires seen in the town for years.

The blaze at Copleston High School, which took place in August 2006, caused massive disruption and damage of more than £1million.

A police spokesman said: “As the schools prepare to take their long summer break we would ask everyone who lives in an area overlooking school premises to remain particularly vigilant over the coming weeks.

“Please report quickly any sightings of youths using facilities or generally any suspicious activity.

“Police officers and police community support officers will pay particular attention to these areas, but local residents are best placed to see what is going on.”

The two youths responsible for the Copleston blaze, 18-year-old Ashley Norman and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, are due to be sentenced for the offence in around six weeks' time.

Norman pleaded guilty to torching the school at a court hearing back in January while the 17-year-old was found guilty by a jury earlier this month.

Anyone spotting suspicious activity in schools is asked to contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500.