THIEVES are believed to have used a forklift truck in a burglary, which saw £50,000 worth of machinery stolen from an Ipswich packaging firm.Large pallets of machinery were taken from an enclosed, locked compound from bpi Stretch Films in Farthing Road.

THIEVES are believed to have used a forklift truck in a burglary, which saw £50,000 worth of machinery stolen from an Ipswich packaging firm.

Large pallets of machinery were taken from an enclosed, locked compound from bpi Stretch Films in Farthing Road.

Philip Goldsmith, engineering manager at bpi, said there was no sign the compound had been broken into.

He said: "We are certain the compound had been broken into but the lock to the gates were still intact, however, and although there is a narrow access leading to the site, it would be impossible for a vehicle to get through."

Management at bpi are puzzled as to why anyone would steal such unique items and say the theft would have taken some considerable effort by the offenders.

Mr Goldsmith said: "The items were of considerable weight, they weren't something you could put in your pocket and walk off with. They were very heavy and difficult to move.

"Whoever took them would possibly have needed a forklift and van of some sort."

The items stolen, which are unique to the process of polythene, include and air distribution ring, which is approximately 1.5 metres in diameter, weighs about 250kgs and costs £25,000. Also taken were three feed pipes and an internal bubble cooling aluminium assembly.

The items had been delivered in pallets and were left in the compound and taken some time during the night of Tuesday January 13 and early the next morning.

The stolen items make plastic parts and have minimal scrap value.

Mr Goldsmith said: "This loss and meant a considerable expense to the company as well as both time and delay in getting ourselves back to where we were.

"We've had to source components from other parts of the group in order to complete an important project."

Anyone with information in relation to this incident should contact Capel St Mary police station on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.