MORE than 200 drivers in high performance cars were stopped and checked in Castle Point as part of a police crackdown on burglars.

Officers stopped cars around the A13 and A127, hoping to catch criminals who are leaving the borough and heading for London.

Recently, thieves have been targeting homes with expensive cars on the driveway.

They break into the homes to steal the keys and then drive off in the householder’s car.

Police made ten arrests for offences including possession of cannabis, drink-driving, and breaching bail conditions.

One arrested man was found in possession of a knuckleduster.

Chief Inspector Paul Eveleigh said: “We know burglars target the more expensive cars during the night. So we were targeting those type of cars, also late at night, to make sure they were legitimately in the hands of their owners.”

He said officers stopped between 20 and 45 vehicles a night.

Mr Eveleigh added: “It’s paying off in terms of reducing crime, particularly burglaries.

“But it’s also having a knock-on effect in helping us reduce car crime and all the other crimes which occur at night.

“It’s making people feel safer and it’s a message to the community. We are not going to tolerate burglary or any other type of offence in Castle Point.”