THEY investigate crimes and catch criminals across the county - but the disappearance of over £1,000 worth of equipment from Suffolk police's own premises has left them baffled.

THEY investigate crimes and catch criminals across the county - but the disappearance of over £1,000 worth of equipment from Suffolk police's own premises has left them baffled.

Last year, expensive items essential for police work including protective clothing, road signs and warning lights were reported as stolen from stations and police cars across the area.

And so far they have not been able to come up with suspects for any of the thefts.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said: “Security of police premises is of paramount importance.

“However the police are not immune to crimes such as theft. These thefts would have been investigated in the same manner as similar crimes reported by members of the public.”

Among the items which have gone missing under suspicious circumstances were a set of number plates, taken from an unmarked police car.

These could be attractive to criminals as any vehicle using them may show up as a police vehicle if checked against the DVLA records - possibly allowing it to bypass security checks.

However the spokesman said: “In relation to the stolen number plates, these would have immediately been recorded as stolen - and details circulated to forces nationwide.”

Protective clothing and caps may also be useful to anyone wanting to impersonate a police officer in order to commit crimes, for example distraction burglaries.

In total, equipment worth £1,450 was stolen from stations, car parks, police offices and training facilities between January and December 2006.

The thefts were revealed following a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

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