RESIDENTS are warned to be on their guard today after a spate of thefts with thieves taking everything from shopping and alcohol to a fridge.

RESIDENTS are warned to be on their guard today after a spate of thefts with thieves taking everything from shopping and alcohol to a fridge.

The gang which has targeted Stowmarket struck three times in Shakespeare Road, twice in Walton Close and once in Langford Close, breaking into garages and cars.

Lisa Crane, a spokeswoman for Suffolk Police, the six crimes are being linked and reminded people to keep their cars and property secure at all times.

The criminals struck at:

n. Shakespeare Road - between 6.30pm on Thursday and 8am on Friday, stealing alcohol and soft drinks from a garage.

n. Shakespeare Road - between Thursday and Friday when the offenders got into a garage but nothing was stolen from within. A blue Vauxhall Corsa on the driveway was entered but nothing was taken. An attempt was made to start a green Fiat Cinquecento car, but it was not stolen.

n. Shakespeare Road - between Wednesday and Friday offenders gained entry to a garage and stole alcohol and a fridge.

n. Walton Close - between 11pm on Thursday and 8.15am on Friday , stealing alcohol from a back garden. A BMW was entered but nothing was stolen.

n. Walton Close - Offenders broke into a car by bending a door, but nothing was taken, between 9.30pm on Thursday and 8.20am on Friday.

n. Langford Close - Shopping was stolen from a car between 8pm on Thursday and 7.30am on Friday .

Anne Whybrow, mayor and a Suffolk county councillor who represents the community, said Stowmarket can suffer from misbehaving youths, but she is surprised by the sudden crime spree in her town.

She said: “There is a low level of crime in our town, as there is in the whole of mid Suffolk. I don't think we have a real problem with crime, nationally we are one of the safer areas.

“We should always be vigilant about our property, sometimes when people are feeling the pinch financially we can forget to keep our insurance up-to-date, people need to do that.”

N Anyone with any information about the crimes should call Pc Tina Fairness at Stowmarket Police Station on 01473 613500, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.