DETECTIVES have warned residents to be vigilant after a huge spate of burglaries across the area.

Nearly 20 homes in Clacton, Jaywick, St Osyth and Thorpe have been raided by crooks over the last two months.

Police are hunting for the culprits and have issued a warning for people to secure their homes and make sure they are not easy targets.

In most of the cases the burglars were found to have broken in through doors or windows which were left open or unlocked.

Five of the cases saw crooks sneak into the properties while the victims were outside in the garden or driveway.

Det con Andy Dodd, of Clacton CID, said: "The items stolen have included handbags, purses and jewellery, and in some cases the thieves have then used their victims’ bank cards to withdraw money from cash machines.

"Our enquiries so far suggest there are a number of suspects involved and we are not currently linking all the incidents.

"We are continuing our investigations and have already charged one person in relation to one of the offences.”

Ashley Dick, 30, of St Christopher’s Way, Jaywick, has been charged with three counts of fraud by false representation after one of the raids in Clacton.

He is accused of using a stolen bank card to withdraw cash on September 10, and is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 28.

A 26 year-old woman from Harwich was also arrested on suspicion of handing stolen goods and has been released on bail until January 3.

The arrests came after a home in Kings Road, Clacton, was targeted by thieves.

Other raids in Clacton include houses in Dudley Road on August 26, Constable Avenue on August 29, Woodrows Lane on August 30, Blake Drive and Hunt Drive on September 7, Kingfishers on September 20 and Cottage Grove on September 21.

Jaywick homes were burgled in Virginia Close on August 29 and August 31, Frobisher Drive on September 2, Willow Way on September 10 and Golf Green Road on September 14.

Homes in St Osyth were targeted in Point Clear Road, September 9, Clacton Road on September 12 and Brookvale on September 20.

A property in Golden Lane, Thorpe, was hit on September 15, while homes in Dovercourt, Harwich and Lawford were also targeted.

Det con Dodd added: “I would urge residents to please ensure their doors and windows are securely locked, even if they are just popping out for a short while.

“Ensure that uPVC doors are double locked by pushing up the handle and locking with the key, and put all valuables out of sight of any opportunistic burglars.”

Anyone with information on any of the burglaries should call Clacton police on 101.