EPPING FOREST: Burglars strike across district

1:05pm Tuesday 4th November 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

BURGLARS have been on a rampage in the Epping Forest District during the past week with houses and cars broken into.

The high number of thefts has prompted police to issue a warning, urging people to secure windows and doors, even when leaving a property for a short period of time.

17 properties were broken into in total covering most of the district, including Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Epping, Waltham Abbey, Ongar and North Weald.

In Lower Park Road, Loughton two vehicles were stolen after burglars gained entry via a toilet window.

They stole various computer equipment, a silver Mercedes and black Land Rover, between 1am and 7.40am on October 29.

While at St Clements Court in Waltham Abbey, an occupant at the retired housing complex saw two men enter his home.

They pretended to be checking up on residents and were let in through the front door. But one resident realised they were not meant to be there and raised the alarm.

A spokesman from Anchor Trust which runs the housing scheme said: “It was a bogus caller. There was no sign of a break in or damage.

"The police have been speaking to the tenants involved and a member of staff has been talking to them as well.

"They left as soon as someone discovered they shouldn’t be there.”

He added: “We regularly talk with tenants about security and the need to be vigilant. If they are in any doubt about a caller’s identity they should refuse entry and alert the scheme manager or contact our 24-hour assistance service.”

Nothing was stolen but police are appealing for information.

One man was described as white, about 30 years old, of a slim build, wearing a black woollen skull hat, black jacket, dark trousers, woollen black gloves, with unshaven dark hair and a local accent.

The other was white and wearing a hat.

Various designer items were stolen from a property on Coopers Hill in Ongar between 6.30pm on November 1 and 1.30pm on November 2.

Burglars smashed a rear window in the conservatory door to enter the property before taking a brown Louis Vuitton purse, silver Cartier Roadster watch, various jewellery and a Sony digital camera.

During the week seven vehicles were also broken into.

This included one in Willinghall Close, Waltham Abbey where a pair of black leather driving gloves were stolen.

The suspect was disturbed after gaining entry to the silver Mercedes at 2.10am on October 27.

He was described as white, 25 to 30 years old, of a stocky build with dark hair and wearing dark trousers and a light jacket.

Police have advised motorists not to leave any items in their vehicles, even if leaving them for just a short period of time.