A GANG of suspected teenage burglars is being hunted today after it is believed to have carried out a series of raids in mid-Suffolk.

A GANG of suspected teenage burglars is being hunted today after it is believed to have carried out a series of raids in mid-Suffolk.

The thieves primarily targeted homes which were either unlocked or did not have their windows and doors properly secured.

Their haul of cars and property runs into thousands of pounds and has led to a security warning to householders being issued by police.

Eight of the thefts occurred over a two-day period last week and the same gang are also thought to have carried out another burglary in Sudbury.

On Wednesday thieves broke into a house in Chapel Road, Mendlesham, between 1.30am and 6.30am and stole a laptop, cash and a wallet.

They also broke into a property in village's Mayfield Way, between 2.30am and 5.30am on the same day through unlocked doors and stole a laptop, a Wii, video games and keys to a green Skoda Octavia which was also stolen. A camera which was stolen was found on Ducksen Road, and the car was found damaged on Waterford Road, Ipswich.

Over the course of the same night they failed to burgle a house in Old Market Street, Mendlesham, between 11.20pm on Tuesday and 7.30am Wednesday when they tried to get in an unsecured window, but failed to do so.

A van was broken into in Ducksen Road in the village between 10pm Tuesday and 7am Wednesday. The thieves broke into a white Ford Transit van and stole cash, a sat nav and power tools.

It is believed the same gang broke into three houses and attempted to burgle a fourth one on Monday.

They got into house in Highfield Road, Stowupland between 2am and 7.25am through what police describe as 'insecure' doors. While inside they stole a handbag containing cash, a mobile phone and keys to a red Daewoo Kalos, which was also stolen.

The bag was found outside the house and the car was found abandoned with minor damage at Barham Pits.

The gang also attempted to burgle another house in Highfield Road, Stowupland, between 12am and 5.45am by removing a cat flap from a door at a house. However, they failed to gain entry.

A group of five males were seen acting suspiciously outside the property during the night. They are described as white, in their teens and of medium build. One of them is described as 5ft 2ins tall and wearing a grey hooded top with the hood up.

A second is said to be 5ft 8ins tall and wearing a dark-coloured hooded top with a large logo on the front.

The same night thieves broke into a house in Partridge Close, Thurston, between 11.30pm on Sunday and 5.30am Monday.

The offenders got in through an unlocked window and stole video games, a mobile phone, a digital camera and keys to two cars which were also stolen. One was a purple Volvo S40 registration AV05NBY and the other a red Honda Civic.

The Civic was seen in the Norwich Road area of Ipswich on Monday evening and later found in Church Road, Tostock on Wednesday.

Another house in Partridge Close was also burgled between 11.30pm and 6.40am. This time they forced a door into the garage and stole fishing equipment and a BMX bike.

A fourth burglary which police believe is linked to the other incidents occurred in Crayford Road, Sudbury between 2am and 6.30am on Wednesday.

The thieves got in through an 'insecure' door and stolen keys to a blue VW Toureg which was also stolen, registration AJ06DNO.

Last week a crate of milk has been stolen from outside a nursery, offenders used a 4x4 vehicle to drive onto the property in Kestrel Drive, Stowmarket, between 4am and 4.15am on January 5.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents should telephone 01603 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

LISA Crane, spokeswoman for Suffolk police, had this advice for householders: "Please ensure your doors and windows are secured at all times and that all locks are of the appropriate standard.

“80per cent of domestic burglaries are due to insecurities where offenders access a property by open or unlocked windows or doors. Suitable exterior lighting operated by dusk to dawn sensors, and internal lighting and radios on timers plus the removal to safe storage of items that could be stolen or used to commit crime, are other sensible measures.

"Property-mark and register your personal items online at www.immobilise.com, as well as taking digital images.

“Offenders particularly target items that can be easily carried or removed from your home and later sold for cash."

Ms Crane added that if anyone sees anything suspicious they should telephone 999 immediately.