POLICE are investigating allegations of theft and fraud after an estate and letting agents closed unexpectedly.

Essex Police confirmed it is investigating complaints made about the financial affairs of Leonard Peters, based in London Road, Westcliff.

A spokesman said: “We received a report on Monday, June 3, about the theft of money in Thorpe Bay.

“It follows a report that a five-figure sum of cash was withdrawn from an account.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Southend police station on 101 quoting crime reference 42/86970/19.”

The spokesman confirmed allegations of fraud were also being examined.

Residents at Fairlawns Development in Thorpe Bay, claimed a five-figure sum was taken from a bank account belonging to elderly residents from a managing agent.

Managing agents are individuals or companies appointed by groups of residents to look after their communal affairs, including bills for servicing blocks of flats and organising garden and general maintenance.

A landlord, who owns a property in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff, also claims to have not received the last month’s rent from Leonard Peters who manage the property for her.

The 32-year-old woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, said: “I asked them to serve a section 21 on my tenant because I needed the property back to live in.

“This wasn’t done and I also realised that while the tenant said he had paid his last month’s rent, this had not made its way to me.

“The tenant also informed me that while his deposit was registered with a protection scheme, the funds had not been paid in.

“I have now been left without a home, because the eviction notice was not served and without a penny. I haven’t been able to contact them since May 8.”

Essex Police confirmed a call had been received, but the advice on this occasion was this issue was a civil matter.

Attempts were made to contact the firm by residents from Fairlawns before they contacted a national newspaper.

Attempts were also made by the 32-year-old landlord and repeated attempts were made by the Echo to contact the firm, but without success.

Nobody has been arrested and the investigation is continuing.

Leonard Peters had been running for about 50 years in south Essex, according to the firm’s website.