RESIDENTS are being warned to lock up sheds and garages following a surge of break-ins.
Police in Pitsea say burglars are targeting an average of one shed or garage a day across the town's four wards - Vange, Pitsea South East, Pitsea North West and Fryerns.
They break in and help themselves to valuable gardening equipment, such as mowers and strimmers, as well as bikes, golfing equipment and even booze.
Pitsea inspector Steve Ditchburn said figures from the last five years show May is a peak time for the offences and has urged homeowners to protect themselves.
He said: "People need to make sure they keep their sheds and garages secure by locking up and even installing alarms, particularly if they are using them to store valuables.
"Ideally we would ask people to make sure they keep expensive items locked elsewhere, but if that's not possible then they need to make sure all sheds and garages have sturdy locks and padlocks and are secured at all times."
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