Warning after 133 car break-ins in just one month in Basildon

In September, Basildon’s community policing team recorded 133 reports of theft from cars and vans in the borough.

The unprecedented increase prompted officers to launch Operation Ivory to help stem the number of offences and make sure the public are aware.

PC Samantha Creighton, who is in charge of the action plan, said: “The operation was launched on September 28 because we had 133 reports of theft from motor vehicles.

“This is broken down into three categories: theft of number plates, theft of tools from vans and just normal theft from vehicles where they break into a car and take what they can get.”

The team are conducting high-visibility patrols and collecting intelligence from anyone who may know something about the spate of thefts.

The operation has already led to four people being arrested and charged.

Three youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have all been charged with theft from a motor vehicle. They have been given a curfew and been told they must not have any contact with each other.

A man has also been charged with one count of theft from a motor vehicle and must adhere to the same conditions.

PC Creighton is urging the public to mindful about leaving valuable things in their car, especially at this time of year.

She said: “It’s coming up to Christmas again and I know we say the same thing year after year but it still happens.

“We had one man who had left £800 cash in his glove box overnight which was taken.

“If there’s something valuable in the car, they will take it. It’s the same old thing every year.”

Police have issued advice to motorists that deals with how to minimise risk of being targeted. Removing valuables like sat navs, mobile phones and laptops helps remove temptation.

Wipe away the marks left by the suction pad on your sat nav as they may lead thieves to believe it’s in your car somewhere. If you are unable to remove your property from the vehicle, lock it out of sight.