Pakefield update – Two teenagers bailed

Detectives investigating a murder in Pakefield have been granted more time to question two teenagers.

Officers were called just after 1.50pm on Saturday 25 March to reports that an elderly woman had been found lying on the floor in her home in Grayson Avenue following a robbery.

The incident is believed to have occurred during the hours of darkness at some point between the evening of Friday 24 March and early Saturday morning, 25 March.

The victim was found conscious but in a serious condition and was taken to James Paget Hospital for treatment. Sadly, the woman died at hospital in the early hours of Monday 27 March.

Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the deceased has been identified as Joy Middleditch, aged 82 years.

A 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, both from the Lowestoft area, were arrested yesterday, Friday 31 March, on suspicion of murder and taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

This morning, Saturday 1 April, detectives have been granted a superintendent’s extension to detain them for questioning for an additional 12 hours. This will expire tonight.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team, preferably using the online portal here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363721O09-PO1 or by calling 101 quoting the reference 37/17537/23.

Police investigating the death of a woman in Pakefield have arrested two people.

Officers were called just after 1.50pm on Saturday 25 March, to reports that an elderly woman had been found lying on the floor in her home in Grayson Avenue following a robbery.

The incident is believed to have occurred during the hours of darkness at some point between the evening of Friday 24 March and early Saturday morning, 25 March.

The victim was found conscious but in a serious condition and was taken to James Paget Hospital for treatment. Sadly, the woman died at hospital in the early hours of Monday 27 March.

Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the deceased has been identified as Joy Middleditch, aged 82 years.

Officers have been pursuing numerous lines of enquiry and today, Friday 31 March, arrested two males in connection with the incident.

A 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, both from the Lowestoft area, were arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

A Home Office post-mortem examination was carried out on Monday 27 March. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed, pending further investigation. 

Any witnesses or anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team, preferably using the online portal here:  https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363721O10-PO1 or by calling 101 quoting the reference 37/17537/23.

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

The family of a woman who died following a robbery in Pakefield have issued a tribute.

Officers were called just after 1.50pm on Saturday 25 March, to reports that an elderly woman had been found lying on the floor in her home on Grayson Avenue.

The incident is believed to have occurred during the hours of darkness at some point between the evening of Friday 24 March and early Saturday morning, 25 March.

The victim was found conscious but in a serious condition and was taken to James Paget Hospital for treatment. Sadly, the woman died at hospital in the early hours of Monday 27 March.

Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the deceased has been identified as Joy Middleditch, aged 82 years.

Joy’s family have asked police to issue the following tribute on their behalf:

“Joy was a strong, determined character who loved life and her dog.

“She was a loving person who was sadly taken from us too soon.

“We as a family would like to thank the police and the community for all their help and support.”

It is reported that the victim heard a noise at her door, at which point two masked males forced entry into her home and knocked her to the ground. Her handbag was stolen, which has since been located in Nelson Road, Pakefield, however a purse contained with the bag is still missing. It is believed this may be a black and white chequer pattern purse.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Monday 27 March, however the cause of death has yet to be confirmed. Further examinations are due to take place.

Currently there have been no arrests. There has been a large police presence within Pakefield and the local area as officers carry out searches, door to door enquiries and other activities as part of the investigation.

Police continue to ask anyone with CCTV or doorbell cameras in the area to make contact, while motorists with a dashcam fitted in their vehicle who were driving between 6pm on 24 March and 7am on 25 March in the vicinity of the B1532 London Road, South Lowestoft, have also been asked to get in touch.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team, preferably using the online portal here:  https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363721O10-PO1 or by calling 101 quoting the reference 37/17537/23.

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

Police investigating an incident in Pakefield in which a woman died following a robbery at her home are now able to name the victim.

Officers were called just after 1.50pm on Saturday 25 March, to reports that an elderly woman had been found lying on the floor in her home on Grayson Avenue.

The incident is believed to have occurred during the hours of darkness at some point between the evening of Friday 24 March and early Saturday morning, 25 March.

The victim was found conscious but in a serious condition and was taken to James Paget Hospital for treatment. Sadly, the woman died at hospital in the early hours of yesterday, Monday 27 March.

Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the deceased has been identified as Joy Middleditch, aged 82 years.

It is reported that the victim heard a noise at her door, at which point two masked males forced entry into her home and knocked her to the ground. Her handbag was stolen, which has since been located in Nelson Road, Pakefield, however a purse contained with the bag is still missing. It is believed this may be a black and white chequer pattern purse.

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday afternoon, 27 March, however the cause of death has yet to be confirmed. Further examinations will now take place.

Currently there have been no arrests. There has been a large police presence within Pakefield and the local area as officers carry out searches, door to door enquiries and other activities as part of the investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick of the Joint Major Investigations Team said: “We are investigating this incident as a murder as we seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.

“This is an awful and distressing incident and we will continue to support the victim’s family in anyway we can.

“A large number of officers and staff have already been involved in the investigation, with searches and house to house enquiries taking place today. Residents should expect to see a continued increased police presence over the coming days.

“We are exploring all and any lines of enquiry and I would urge anyone with any information, no matter how small you think it may be, to get in touch with police.”   

Police are asking anyone with any CCTV or doorbell cameras to make contact, while motorists with a dashcam fitted in their vehicle who were driving between 6pm on 24 March and 7am on 25 March in the vicinity of the B1532 London Road, South Lowestoft, have also been asked to get in touch.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team by emailing [email protected] or by calling 101 quoting the reference 37/17537/23.

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

A woman who was left in a serious condition following a robbery at her home in Pakefield has died.

Officers were called just after 1.50pm on Saturday 25 March, to reports that an elderly woman had been found lying on the floor in her home on Grayson Avenue.

The incident is believed to have occurred during the hours of darkness at some point between the evening of Friday 24 March and early Saturday morning, 25 March.

The victim was found conscious but in a serious condition and was taken to James Paget Hospital for treatment. Sadly, the woman died at hospital in the early hours of this morning, Monday 27 March.

It is reported that the victim – aged in her 80s – heard a noise at her door, at which point two masked males forced entry into her home and knocked her to the ground. Her handbag was stolen, which has since been located in Nelson Road, Pakefield, however a purse contained with the bag is still missing.

Currently there have been no arrests.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick of the Joint Major Investigations Team said: “This is a very serious incident following which a woman has sadly lost her life.

“The investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the offence continues, as do enquiries to establish the cause of death.

“The family are being supported by specially trained police officers as part of the investigation”.

“Local residents should expect to see an increased police presence over the next few days while enquiries take place, while additional officers will also be in the area to provide reassurance to the local community.

“Whilst searches and house to house enquiries take place, we are keen to speak to anyone who finds a purse, or who saw suspicious activity in the area late on Friday and into Saturday morning and anyone living in the area that has CCTV or doorbell cameras.”

Police are also asking any motorists with a dashcam fitted in their vehicle who were driving between 6pm on 24 March and 7am on 25 March in the vicinity of the B1532 London Road, South Lowestoft, to contact police.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team by emailing [email protected] or by calling 101 quoting the reference 37/17537/23.

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

Police are appealing for witnesses after intruders broke into the home of an elderly woman in Pakefield and stole property.

Officers were called before 2pm yesterday, Saturday 25 March, to reports that an elderly woman had been found lying on the floor in her home on Grayson Avenue.

It is reported that the victim – who is aged in her 80s – heard a noise at her door at which point two masked males forced entry into her home and knocked her to the ground. Her handbag was stolen, which contained her purse, cash and keys.

The incident is believed to have occurred during the hours of darkness at some point the previous evening, Friday 24 March, to early Saturday morning.

The victim was found conscious, however had sustained injuries as a result of the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment where her condition is described as life threatening.

There is no description of the suspects at this time.

The stolen handbag is described as orange in colour with a silver link chain handle.

Police are keen to speak to any witnesses, anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area on Friday, or anyone living in the area with CCTV or doorbell cameras.

They are also asking any motorists with a dashcam fitted in their vehicle who were driving (during the timeframe indicated) in the vicinity of the B1532 London Road, South Lowestoft, to review the footage for anything that may be of assistance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Suffolk police quoting reference: 37/17537/23 via:

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