WHO would want to run a shop in a Suffolk village?The latest ram-raid on a rural shop in the early hours today has caused shockwaves among residents of mid Suffolk as Elmswell Co-op was targeted by ruthless thieves who smashed their way into the building.

WHO would want to run a shop in a Suffolk village?

The latest ram-raid on a rural shop in the early hours today has caused shockwaves among residents of mid Suffolk as Elmswell Co-op was targeted by ruthless thieves who smashed their way into the building.

Of course it is not just rural businesses that are being targeted by these brazen raiders - earlier this month there was an attack on Cineworld at Cardinal Park in the heart of Ipswich.

What is worrying is that the raiders, who may well be the same gang, do not seem to be put off by security measures that have been installed.

The raids have been captured on CCTV and in Ipswich the raid happened in front of the kiosk used by security guards who patrol Cardinal Park.

That makes these raiders very confident of the their ability to get away with their crimes - and potentially very dangerous as they clearly have a ruthless streak.

It is absolutely vital that the police hunt them down and take them off the streets to make life safer for us all.

By targeting Co-ops and the cinema, it could be that they are striking when they think no one will be around.

But sooner or later someone will get in the way - someone living on the premises, working late, or just a passer-by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is vital these raiders are caught before that stage is reached and we are left reporting a tragedy.

CHRISTMAS is coming and the festive season has erupted in triumph at Ipswich's New Wolsey Theatre with the opening of its wonderful new rock and roll pantomime.

Beauty and the Beast is traditional tale with a modern twist - and it is great to know that such a great show is able to attract an appreciative audience.

The Panto will bring festive cheer to the New Wolsey for the next two months, and tickets have already been selling very well.

That is great news for the theatre - it's ability to attract a new young audience is vital for its continued role at the cultural heart of the town.

Live theatre brings its own special excitement - and there is no live theatre like pantomime for involving the audience in a two-way entertainment experience.

Hopefully those who come along to this great show will return to the New Wolsey time and again to build its audience over the year.

CHRISTOPHER Biggins is a national treasure - and now he could be on the verge of his greatest ever triumph by winning I'm A Celebrity 2007.

As Britain's greatest panto dame he is used to being in the limelight in the run-up to Christmas, but this year he has surpassed himself with a national audience watching his antics in the jungle.

He still has to emerge ahead of fellow contestants Janice Dickinson and J from Five - but all the clever money is on the old pro to overcome the Botox Queen and the ex-boyband heart-throb.