Action on heatwave thieves in Southend, Castle Point and Rochford (From Echo)

Action on heatwave thieves in Southend, Castle Point and Rochford

10:00am Thursday 23rd August 2012 in Local News

POLICE are hunting burglars who are taking advantage of the hot weather.

The crooks have been looking out for open windows at homes across Southend, Castle Point and Rochford .

They have ransacked 33 homes since the beginning of the month, so now police have launched a crackdown.

In the past week police have charged two men with burglary, and are bringing in extra resources to combat the problem.

Det Sgt Dave Browning, who leads the Southend Target Team, said: “We’ve got a lot more resources coming in from HQ.

“A lot of staff were used for the Olympics, but now they’ve been released from those duties, we are seeing them a lot more in our areas and it’s going to be a regular occurrence.”

He said patrols had been stepped up in “hotspot areas” including Sutton Road in Southend, as well as Hamlet Court Road and Salisbury Avenue, in Westcliff .

There have also been particular problems in some of Southend’s tower blocks – including Malvern, Chiltern, Brecon and Quantock flats.

Callum Greenaway was arrested following a burglary in house in Leigh , where a front door was forced on August 16. Jewellery and a Panasonic camera were stolen.

The 26-year-old, of Victoria Drive, Great Wakering, appeared before Southend magistrates and was remanded in custody until September 10.

A second man, aged 44, was charged with a burglary in Church Road, Shoebury , and remanded in custody.

A watch, earrings, a neck chain and a locket were stolen from the house on August 3.

Mr Browning urged people not to leave windows open, despite the sweltering temperatures, as it is an open invitation to thieves.

He said: “I think burglars are probably more aware that people are leaving windows open, so they think there’s a bit more of an opportunity to commit a crime.”