POLICE were today trying to work out the next move of a gang of car thieves suspected of creating their own version of wacky races.In a plot reminiscent of a sketch involving Dick Dastardly and Muttley, officers have been led a merry dance by a crime spree that has seen cars stolen and then dumped within the space of a few hours.

POLICE were today trying to work out the next move of a gang of car thieves suspected of creating their own version of wacky races.

In a plot reminiscent of a sketch involving Dick Dastardly and Muttley, officers have been led a merry dance by a crime spree that has seen cars stolen and then dumped within the space of a few hours.

The circuit, which has included three Ipswich streets and five mid Suffolk villages, has involved eight cars, including four Ford Orions.

Bizarrely, two of the vehicles were dumped in the same street from which they were taken, having been moved just a few yards.

All but two of the vehicles have been recovered, with the main damage caused by the crooks forcing their way into the vehicles and then hot-wiring them.

The sequence of crimes, between 7pm on Monday and 4.15am on Tuesday, has left detectives baffled.

It is thought the incidents may be part of a new craze, although police were unable to confirm this.

Mike Nunn, spokesman for the force, stressed the crimes being taken seriously.

He said: "It's particularly unusual for there to be this many thefts of motor vehicles in one evening. We believe a group of offenders may be responsible for the crimes.

"Although some of the vehicles were recovered a short distance away, the vehicle owners may have to foot the bill in terms of repairing the damage caused by the mindless offenders."

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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FASTfacts: Times and locations of where the cars were stolen.

A Ford Orion was taken from outside a house in Sidegate Lane, Ipswich between midnight and 2.50am on Tuesday. It was later found abandoned in Nettlestead, together with a Vauxhall Astra taken from Dandalan Close, Ipswich.

Another Ford Orion was taken from Bramford Lane, Ipswich just after midnight on Tuesday and dumped in Damselfly Road, on Ipswich's Ravenswood Estate.

A grey Vauxhall Cavalier was taken from Lower Somersham, between 9.30pm on Monday and 4.15am on Tuesday, and discarded in Wentworth Close, Nettlestead.

A Ford Fiesta was broken into between 7pm on Monday and 1.40am on Tuesday in Wentworth Close, Nettlestead. It was moved further down the street.

A red Ford Orion, parked in Grainge Way, Haughley, was taken and abandoned in Old Newton.

A silver Ford Fiesta was taken at about 3am on Tuesday from Falconer Avenue in Old Newton.

A blue Ford Orion was taken from St Mary's Close, Offton at about 1.45am on Tuesday and abandoned on a green in the same street.