BURGLARS, thieves and shoplifters are being targeted by police and community volunteers during a crime crackdown on Canvey in the run-up to Christmas.

Police on the island have launched Operation Mistletoe, which will last throughout December, in a bid to make sure people stay safe and homes are secure this festive season.

As part of the operation, volunteers known as active citizens will patrol along supermarket aisles to deter and swoop on shoplifters.

Car parks will also be a focus area for the volunteers, officers and special constables, as well as burglary hotspots in case criminals target cars and homes.

Sgt Mark McQuade, from the Castle Point community policing team, said: “From now until Christmas, my team are targeting shops for shoplifters and car parks in case there is any vehicle crime.

“Active citizens will be assisting us with these patrols.

“They will be patrolling in shop aisles with fluorescent jackets on so people know that they are there.

“We are expecting that thieves will also try and break-in to cars so we will be patrolling car parks.

“We want offenders to know that we are on to them.

“We want people to be safe this Christmas.”

In addition, a large number of police officers will be patrolling around pubs and clubs on nights where it is expected there will be a lot of people out partying and drinking.

Chief Insp Glen Westley, district commander for Castle Point and Rochford, said: “We will be doing a lot of patrols surrounding night time economy and public order on key dates.

“Friday, December 16 will potentially be a night of high demand, as well as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

“Out of those three nights, we anticipate that New Year’s Eve will be the busiest.”

If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming an active email active.citizen@essex.pnn.police.uk or visit essex.police.uk/join-the-police/volunteers/active-citizen

Anyone with information about crime on the island can call Essex Police on 101 or crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.