About £40,000 of equipment has been stolen following a burglary at a bowls club in Suffolk.

Lawn mowers, strimmers and other heavy machinery has been stolen following the burglary at Stowupland Bowls Club which happened between 2.30pm on Tuesday, October 22 and 9am on Wednesday, October 23.

Padlocks on the front gate and a shed were sheered off by the intruders.

A wheelbarrow is thought to have been used to transport some of the material as it was left at the scene.

Police are linking the incident to a burglary in Semer earlier this month.

Thieves targeted a workshop in the village of Semer, near Monks Eleigh, and stole two Honda petrol quad bikes, one Kawasaki petrol quad bike, two Husqvarna petrol chainsaws, one electric Stihl chainsaw and a Kubota mini tractor with front loading bucket. 

Sgt Chris Green, of the Rural Crime and Wildlife Team, said: “Our inquiries into the incident are on-going and we’d appeal for anyone who saw or heard any suspicious behaviour in the area to get in touch with us.

"We had a similar high value burglary at Semer earlier this month and we are linking these two incidents.

"The bowls club has a large membership and I have no doubt that this is going to a real impact on that community and the club members with much distress caused.”

“The clocks go back this weekend, meaning shorter days and more darkness so it is a timely opportunity to remind people with business and residential properties to review your security measures and stay vigilant to suspicious behaviour.

"There is a wealth of guidance available on our website.”

Anyone who heard or saw suspicious activity or knows the whereabouts of any items stolen should contact Suffolk police, quoting crime reference 37/60454/24.