A CRACKDOWN has been launched on burglary in Southend - with postcards set to be delivered through the doors of 60,000 homes.

The campaign has been launched by independent charity, Crimestoppers,who are also providing pubs and clubs with beer mats asking people to call them if they have information.

It comes after burglars raided 691 homes in Southend last year, and 6849 homes across the whole of Essex.

The three month campaign is funded by Southend Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership and supported by Essex Police.

Posters and leaflets will also be delivered to second- hand shops and pawn shops asking for people to call their anonymous help-line if they can help solve a crime.

Ann Scott, Crimestoppers Eastern Regional Manager, said: “Being burgled is not just about losing possessions, it also robs you of feeling safe in your own home. People should be able to feel secure and confident in their own homes.

No one has anything to fear by contacting Crimestoppers.

"We never ask for your name and no personal information is taken. Calls are not recorded and we do not trace calls or IP addresses. Those who give information do not have to give a statement to police or go to court. In the 24 years that we have been running, Crimestoppers has never broken its promise of anonymity”.

The charity offers rewards of up to £1,000 for any information which leads to the arrest and charge of those responsible for burglaries or handling stolen goods.

Simon Ford, from Southend Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership, added “We realise that not everybody feels comfortable going to the police with information about criminals carrying out burglary and handling stolen goods.

"We are providing our community with a safe alternative to giving information about crime by joining forces with the charity Crimestoppers."

In Essex there were 131 calls to the help-line about burglary and theft last year.

You can either call Crimestoppers anonymouslyon 0800 555111 or send a secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org Information given through the Crimestoppers website or directly to the police will not qualify for a reward.