BASILDON residents are being urged to ensure they secure their homes after eight houses were burgled in just four days between last Monday and Friday.

During one incident, in Claremont Road, between 10pm and midnight on June 12, suspects stole a bag containing thousands of pounds and stole a white Citroen after taking the keys.

Car keys were also stolen from a house Great Knightleys between midnight and 7am on June 15. The suspects then drove away in the stolen silver VW Polo.

A black Vauxhall Corsa and a black VW Golf were stolen from the driveway of a house in Lancaster Drive after a bag containing the car keys were taken.

Emma Lee, 33, of Waldringfield, Basildon, had her brand new white Ford Kuga stolen from her drive on June 9.

She believes the keys were stolen at an earlier point when she left her front door open.

The carer said: “It is heartbreaking. I want to raise awareness that this is happening to stop it from happening to someone else.

“I have lived in Basildon all my life and I have never known the number of thefts to be like this.

“I am living in fear.”

The other five burglaries took place in Langdon Hills, Lee Chapel North and Billericay.

Det Insp Anna Granger, from Basildon CID, said: “We really want to stress how important it is for homes to be secured adequately, even if people are only popping out for five minutes.

“It does not take an experienced burglar that long to break into and enter a property, and if locks are not completely secured, it makes it very easy for them.

“We do not want to unduly worry people, but it is a reality that extra vigilance is required following these recent incidents.

“We are exploring whether there are links between these burglaries, however at this time we are keeping an open mind as we explore various lines of enquiry.”

Front doors should be double locked at all times, with car keys and other valuable items hidden from view and all windows closed and locked when the house is empty.

Any witnesses should call Det Insp Anna Granger at Basildon CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.