CROOKS have escaped with thousands of pounds of goods after targeting homes across the Frinton area in a mini crime wave.

A spate of burglaries have been reported by victims in the past week, including four incidents in just five days.

It has sparked calls for an extra police presence to put an end to the crime spree.

Frinton councillor Terry Allen said: “Burglary is the most abhorrent crime. Not just the thefts, but going into people’s homes and going through their belongings.

“It feels like a violation and people don’t get over it.

“With this going on, they should put more police resources here and stop this spate before people think it is open season here.”

Chief Inspector Russ Cole, the Tendring district commander, said: “We are taking this extremely seriously.

“If you see somebody behaving suspiciously, or anything that you are not happy with, contact us even if it seems innocuous.

“That could make the difference in helping us to catch these people.”

Read the full story with details on the incidents in the Frinton & Walton Gazette, out now.