RISING crime in Harwich could be down to crooks moving to the town from Clacton, Jaywick and London, according to a top cop.

A letter, sent to community campaigner Wayne Tearle, says the area has been affected by a small group of "subjects" moving into the town.

Known for criminal acitivity at their previous addresses, police now suspect they could be involved in an ongoing spate of burglaries across Harwich and Dovercourt.

The information was part of a crime briefing, written by acting chief insp and district commander Russ Cole and sent to Mr Tearle by the office of Nick Alston, Essex police and crime commissioner.

But speaking to the Standard Mr Cole has vowed to tackle the issue.

“I am personally committed to understanding who is committing these crimes and am keen to find out if they are local, from the Clacton area or possibly even London."

Parkeston resident Mr Tearle has been researching the number of crimes committed and believes a partnership approach is the way forward.

“Police need to be out on the beat and people in the communities need to work with their councillors to inform them what is happening,” he said.