Police and partners, including the county council, borough and
district councils, Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service and
Highways Agency, are working together to deal with incidents of
objects being thrown from bridges over key routes in Suffolk.
Bridge signs put in place
Motorists travelling on the main routes through Suffolk are
being asked to report any suspicious activity and signs are being
placed at 31 bridges over the A14 and A12 from Monday 9 January,
bearing the message: Anything suspicious? Call
999.
The signs also have a bridge reference number, which motorists
can quote to help the police arrive quickly on the scene. Extra
patrols are taking place in areas around bridges on the key routes
in the county.
Detective Superintendent Stuart Sedgwick
(centre) who is leading the police investigation into the
incidents, with Highways Agency staff
Have you seen anything suspicious?
This spate of incidents started on Thursday 15 December when
stones were thrown at vehicles near to a bridge on the A14 at
Trimley St Mary. Thirteen vehicles including an ambulance were
damaged in total.
Two boys both aged 8 years and from the Felixstowe area have
been identified and formally interviewed by police in connection
with the 15 December incidents and both have admitted their
involvement in throwing objects at vehicles.
Further incidents happened on the evening of Wednesday
21 December, at locations on the A14 near Trimley St Mary, and near
the Orwell Bridge, and on the A12 at Belstead. Fortunately, no one
was injured.
On Tuesday 27 December occupants of a BMW reported their
windscreen being smashed and bonnet and roof dented after an object
was thrown from a bridge over the A14/A11 near Newmarket. No one
was hurt.
Throwing objects onto a busy road has the potential to cause
serious injury and even death. A senior detective has been
appointed to lead a team dedicated to catching the individuals
responsible, who could face serious criminal charges, resulting in
lengthy prison sentences.
Local people and motorists have a key role to play. Anyone who
sees people acting suspiciously on or near a road bridge should
call the police immediately on 999.
Suffolk Police press releases