Police to visit post offices and stores

EVERY post office and around 100 small shops will get a visit from the police in the coming weeks as part of the fight against armed robbery in East Anglia.

And police are asking residents who live near small stores to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity that could signal a raid is being planned.

The visits are part of Operation Arctic, the region-wide crackdown on robberies at small stores and ATMs.

They will be handing out a special package of information put together by Suffolk police's community safety and crime reduction team.

Inspector Ben Cook said: “The packs contain key messages and simple advice to help stores stay safe.

“As the clocks go back and the evenings get darker, criminals can take the opportunity to prey on stores.

“We want to give the post office and shop managers information they can use to deter these people and keep themselves, their customers and their businesses safe.

“Simple things like locking staff doors and good outside lighting will help keep criminals at bay.”

Police will be out on extra high-visibility patrols in vulnerable areas.

Residents should keep an eye out for suspicious visitors who may be on the lookout for opportunities at premises they are planning to target.

Insp. Cook said: “It is likely that someone considering targeting a shop or post office will visit the premises in the hours, days or weeks leading up to the offence.

“This could simply be driving past or sitting in vehicles outside.

“As such we would ask those that live near small stores and post offices to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area.”

Anyone who sees a crime being committed, or feels one is about to be committed, should phone 999 immediately.

Do you work in a small store or post office that has been targeted by robbers? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveninstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk