Car crime on rise in Southend (From Echo)

Car crime on rise in Southend

11:00am Saturday 6th October 2012 in News

POLICE are focusing on a small group of suspects after car crime doubled overnight.

It comes after seven cars were broken into on Wednesday night, almost twice what the police would expect in a day.

The problem has been particularly bad in Thorpe Bay, Southchurch, and Shoebury, where thieves have been prolific over the last few months.

Insp Matt Bennett, of Southend police, it has been unusually high for car crime as they anticipate 3.7 offences a day.

He said: “We are continuing our patrols and we are following a number of leads and potential suspects.

“It’s our belief that a very few number of people are committing all of these crimes and we are actively targeting these criminals.”

Anyone with information should call Southend police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.