Almost £70,000 worth of cars were stolen in the middle of the night from people's homes in Wickford.

Between 10.30pm on February 21 and 2.30am on February 22, three cars were stolen from people's drives during a spate of burglaries in Melville Drive, Birch Green and Johnson Close.

The thieves stole a black BMW 330e, silver Mini Cooper S and a black Citroen DS3.

The total of the cars stolen amounted to around £68,750.

The Echo had previously reported the theft of the Citroen DS3 from the address in Birch Green, where the thieves also took the keys to a van belonging to the partner of the victim.

The car was dumped by the thieves at a petrol station in Cranfield Park Road where it was discovered by police, ten minutes after it was reported stolen.

Essex Police released an appeal following the thefts.

A police spokesman, said: "We are investigating two overnight burglaries, an attempted burglary and the theft of three cars from addresses in Wickford and are appealing for anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area at the time. 

"Between 10.30pm on February 21 and 2.30am on February 22, keys to a black BMW 330e and silver Mini Cooper S were taken from a house in Melville Drive.

"Both cars were stolen from outside the property.

"Around 1.30am on February 22, keys to a black Citroen DS3 and van were taken from a house on Birch Green.

"The Citroen was stolen and driven off in the direction of Radwinter Avenue and recovered by officers shortly after at a petrol station on Cranfield Park Road.

"Around 1.40am on February 22, we received reports of an attempted burglary in Johnson Close, where an unknown person got out of a small black car and unsuccessfully attempted to gain entry to a house.

"Witnesses or anyone with information are ask to contact Dc Robert Lewis at Basildon CID on 101, quoting incident 66 of February 22.

"Alternatively contact the Crimestoppers charity completely anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information.

"If you would like advice on steps you can take to protect your property and possessions, please visit www.essex.police.uk/secure."