POLICE are today hunting for thieves who escaped with a safe from a bakery, and used an iron bar to smash into town centre shop.Burglars targeted Bakers Oven in Upper Brook Street some time between 6pm last night and 12.15am today when they broke in via a back door and stole a safe from a room on the first floor.
POLICE are today hunting for thieves who escaped with a safe from a bakery, and used an iron bar to smash into town centre shop.
Burglars targeted Bakers Oven in Upper Brook Street some time between 6pm last night and 12.15am today when they broke in via a back door and stole a safe from a room on the first floor.
The heavy safe, which was not thought to contain a substantial amount of money, had to be dragged downstairs before thieves made off with it.
Hours later, at about 3.30am another shop in the town centre was hit by thieves who used an iron grid from a drain to smash the fully glazed security doors at the back of Marks and Spencer in Westgate Street.
They then raided a number of tills and stole cash, which was all in coins.
A Suffolk Police spokesman said: “The rear full-length glass doors were smashed open. A large quantity of cash was taken. There were no notes in the tills so it was all in coins. An iron grid off a drain was used to throw through the doors. A number of tills were then forced open.”
It is not known at this stage whether the two incidents are linked but an investigation is underway.
Both Marks and Spencer and Bakers Oven confirmed they were open for business as normal today.
Police were still at the scene of Bakers Oven this morning, searching for clues in a bid to find the culprits.
The spokesman added: “These were two quite brazen burglaries in two premises in the town centre. It is possible they are linked. “Enquiries are underway.
“Any witnesses should call the police number on 01473 613500.”
If you have any information about the Marks and Spencer burglary, speak to Pc Owen Saxton, or call Pc Stephen Bright if you know anything about the Bakers Oven theft. They are both 01473 613500.
Do you think there is more crime in the town centre now? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here