A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of stealing bags of clothes left outside people’s homes.

Police arrested a man in Highfield Grove, Westcliff, after residents reported plastic sacks full of clothes were going missing.

The clothes were to be collected by Southend Council and sent off to charity.

A suspicious van had been spotted being driven around, with people picking up the bags. Councillors believe the contents are being sold at boot sales.

Ian Robertson, Southend councillor responsible for public protection and waste, said it was most likely people were scavenging for their own use.

He said: “People appear to be stealing it and either selling it on at jumble sales, or the more likely possibility, is people are using the items themselves.

PC Gavin Timms, of Leigh police, said there were difficulties with dealing with this sort of crime, which had to be discussed with the council.

He said: “It’s a bit vague as to who the actual owner would be.

“Is it the council or is it the home owner when they leave it on the pavement?”

PC Timms said police had received a number of calls in the Westborough area about the problem as it is hard to tell who is legitimately collecting for charities.

He said: “The trouble is, I had another call the other day with someone saying a white van was collecting sacks.

“He was legitimately collecting for kidney research and he proved to us he was collecting for them.”

*A man was arrested on suspicion of theft and released on bail pending further police enquiries.