Vans stolen from ice cream firm after closure

Two vans were stolen from an ice cream company shortly after it announced it was shutting down after 127 years of trading.

Suffolk Police launched an investigation following reports of a burglary at Parravani's Ice Cream Ltd, in Common Lane North, Beccles.

The incident took place between 22:10 BST and 22:53 on Monday, with the suspects arriving in a grey Range Rover before breaking into the building, the force said.

Once inside, they took the keys to two vehicles with the licence plates LM22CVG and CF74TOU, before leaving the scene with them, it added.

"Officers are appealing for members of the public in the area with video doorbells or CCTV to check their footage for anything that may be suspicious," a police spokesperson said.

News of the burglary came just days after the BBC reported that the ice cream business, which first started production when Queen Victoria was on the throne, had permanently closed.

At the time, administrator Parker Andrews said the company had gone into a voluntary winding-up process. Companies House's website later said a voluntary liquidator had been appointed.

A statement which had been stuck to the window of the site read: "It is with great sadness that we are now permanently closed for business. We would like to thank all our customers for their loyalty over the years."

The latest theft follows a spate of incidents at the site over the last 12 months.

In January, the company told the BBC it had been targeted by fuel thieves multiple times since the beginning of December 2024.

Two safes containing £900 were also reportedly stolen during a burglary around the same time, and a delivery van was found with a hole in its tank.

Speaking at the time, general manager Adrian Nichols said it felt "quite personal" and "very brazen".

Parravani's Ice Cream was founded in Chedgrave, Norfolk, in 1898, before moving operations to Beccles, Suffolk, in 2012.

The family-run firm, which made traditional Italian ice cream, was then sold to new owners seven years ago.

Then, last Friday, a meeting was held with creditors and the board of directors, and the decision was made to wind down the company.

Historian and mayor of Beccles, Barry Darch, described the closure as a "sad day" for the town and a significant loss."

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