RESIDENTS across Laindon are being warned to be wary of crooks posing as council officials following scores of metal thefts.

There has been a sharp rise in the number of thefts of valuable metals, such as lead and copper, because of growing demand for the materials across the world.

In Laindon, 81 offences involving the theft of metal have been reported since the beginning of the year, with 53 committed in the Laindon Park ward alone.

Thieves' favourites include lead flashing, roof tiles, iron manhole covers, copper piping and cabling.

In recent weeks, police have had reports of crooks wearing fluorescent jackets and posing as council workers.

In one incident, neighbours reported seeing thieves stealing lead flashing from the roof of a house in Lippits Hill, on Friday, March 28.

Police are now asking the public to help them catch the gangs .

PC Deborah Martin, neighbourhood specialist officer for Laindon Park, said: "I don't think residents in Laindon realise what a serious problem the theft of metal is becoming.

"And some of them don't help themselves by leaving things like ladders lying about, giving thieves easy access to their roof where they can strip off valuable lead.

"We would advise people to lock away ladders and residents in bungalows should ensure they move things out of the way that would make it easy for criminals to jump on to their roof."

Anyone with information about metal thefts can call PC Martin at Basildon police on 0300 333 4444.

Three men - a 36-year-old from Basildon, a 27-year-old of no fixed abode and a 27-year-old from Clacton - were arrested on suspicion of theft following the incident in Lippits Hill, on March 28.

They have been released on bail until June.