Thieves try to steal gas from vets

Vets in Waveney are being urged to be vigilant after the attempted theft of canisters of laughing gas from surgeries in the area.

At least three veterinary surgeries in the Lowestoft and Bungay areas have been targeted by thieves since Saturday.

In one of the most recent incidents, someone broke into a shed at premises in Lowestoft Road, Carlton Colville, to gain access to an area where compressed gas cylinders were stored. On this occasion, nothing was stolen.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: “This instance follows a number of thefts and attempts to steal bottle of nitrous oxide from premises.

“While only a limited number of sites store this gas, at least three in the Waveney area have been targeted since Saturday. Police are stepping up patrols and are urging premises storing the gas to take additional security measures.”

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is used by vets as an anaesthetic and for pain management.

Anyone with information should contact Lowestoft police on 01986 835300.