POLICE are today hunting thieves who stole a van containing hundreds of copies of The Evening Star from outside an Ipswich newsagents.The transit connect van was parked outside the Co-op in Meredith Road when it was taken.

POLICE are today hunting thieves who stole a van containing hundreds of copies of The Evening Star from outside an Ipswich newsagents.

The transit connect van was parked outside the Co-op in Meredith Road at 12.30pm yesterday as the driver dropped off some copies of that day's edition. However, while he was inside, some youths jumped in and drove off with 605 copies of the paper in the back.

The driver's mobile phone was in the car at the time of the theft and when he rang it later, two youths answered it, then laughed, shouted expletives at him and told him he would get the sack.

The van, which is owned by subcontractors DC Patrick based in Framlingham, is only two-months-old. There are just two in the county and it has the East Anglian Daily Times logo embossed across it.

Owner of DC Patrick, David Patrick said: “This is a pain in the neck to say the least. I am really disgusted by this and in all the 25 years I have worked here, this has never happened before. I think whoever did this was watching the van. I just hope they catch who did this on CCTV. The driver was only new to the job and it has been a shock for him.”

Delays were caused to the delivery of the paper all over town and in the surrounding areas of Debenham and Otley.

Sales and marketing manager of the Evening Star Sue Gipps had to grab some spare copies of the paper and complete some of the round herself.

She said: “I'm really disappointed that members of our community would sink this low. It just causes distress to the Ipswich community and surrounding areas.”

Police are currently looking into the possibility of obtaining CCTV footage. The van begins with the registration 'MV06'.

If you saw anything or can provide information about the incident, call police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111