RESIDENTS are being urged to take precautions against burglars stealing items from their homes, cars or sheds.

Speaking to Manningtree Town Council, PSCO Paul Beer asked people to lock their doors and windows to prevent opportunist thieves helping themselves.

“We have noticed a trend in thefts from vans with power tools being taken as well as things like laptops,” he said.

“We need to educate people to not leave things in their vehicles because especially this time of year perhaps people are a bit short of money and decide to steal things.

“Windowscreens are relatively easy to break into.

“We have also had sheds broken into and ladders stolen.

“Surely there is nothing worse than someone burgling your house with their own ladder.”