Police are appealing for people in Hadleigh and the surrounding villages to remain vigilant to suspicious activity following a series of thefts of post boxes in Suffolk recently.

They have taken place over an approximate 10 day period across the county.

The first one took place on 7 January on Hinderclay Road in Rickinghall (crime number:37/1431/22)

Subsequent thefts took place at:

Church View Road, Wixoe at some point overnight between 14 - 15 January (37/3351/22)

Pound Green, Cowlinge at some point overnight between 14 - 15 January (37/2885/22)

The Green, Hawkeden at some point overnight between 14 - 15 January (37/3521/22)

Chapel St. Stoke By Clare at some point overnight between 17-18 January (37/3568/22)

The Green,Chedburgh, at some point overnight between 17-18 January (37/3544/22)

Depden Green at some point overnight between 17-18 January (37/3467/22)

Officers believe the thefts are linked and there is a pattern of the 'heritage' style ones being targeted and also they are all taken from remote and rural areas.

The theft is either achieved by cutting them from their mounting metal or wood post but, also possibly, by using angle grinders and chain saws.

Sgt Brian Calver from the Rural Crime and Wildlife Team said: "We know that these are quite valuable and attractive for their antique/collectible resale value, but we are keeping an open mind in that they could be going for their scrap metal value as well.

"What is definite is that such thefts are a big loss of heritage and identity to the village from where they are stolen from.

"There is also the personal disruption such a theft could cause to individuals who have posted important letters and documents and, that as a consequence, are then sadly lost."

Anyone who knows of the whereabouts of the items stolen or has been offered such a post box for sale in suspicious circumstances should contact Suffolk police.

Officers urge people to remain vigilant to suspicious behaviour, activity or noise as well, especially overnight when it seems the vast majority of these have been stolen.

Advice on metal theft can be found here...

If you have any information relating to these thefts, please quote the relevant crime number to the following:

Website – www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/existing-report-update

Phone – Call 101

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999