Police are encouraging van owners to increase the security of their vehicles after seven sets of power tools were stolen in east Ipswich and Felixstowe.

They are also appealing for witnesses to the crimes, which happened between 7pm on Monday and 8.25am on Wednesday in Selkirk Road, Felixstowe Road, Roundwood Road, Mildmay Road and Nansen Road in Ipswich.

Tools were also taken between these times from Kiln Field and Grange Farm Avenue in Felixstowe.

Detectives have now warned van owners that it is essential to lock their vehicle at all times – activating the alarm and immobiliser.

Fitting aftermarket locks and alarms, securing a storage vault inside the van, removing tools from the vehicle, installing CCTV and parking the vehicle inside a secure garage are among the options put forward by police in their advice to drivers.

They are keen to hear from anyone who may have noticed unusual activity or suspicious vehicles in the areas between the times mentioned above.

Anyone with information should call Suffolk police on 101.