AFTER officers attended an incident at a McDonald's – a man has now been charged in connection to a series of thefts.

Essex Police were alerted to an incident at a McDonald's in Tilbury shortly before 11pm on March 27 after a man had gone behind the payment counter and taken a cash till from the establishment.

The following day, a man was arrested as part of a response to a separate incident in Stanford-le-Hope.

During an active investigation being carried out, police officers were able to link him to a number of other incidents in Tilbury and East Tilbury.

Now, Laine Reiss Henry, 34, of no fixed abode, has been charged with four counts of theft from a shop, one count of theft from a motor vehicle and burglary.

Essex Police Chief Inspector Paul Austin said: “Officers from across the force work determinedly to tackle shop thefts.

“We know the impact it can have on businesses, and indeed the employees of those businesses.

“I would always encourage businesses to report incidents to us and though you may not see obvious and immediate action, please be assured these reports are recorded.

“And they will feed into our wider policing plans in each area of Essex.”

Laine is due to appear in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, in New Street, today.