Five men have been arrested and a property shut down following a series of coordinated early morning police raids across Basildon, Southend, Westcliff, and Leigh, targeting a suspected organised vehicle theft ring.
Officers from five different policing teams carried out simultaneous warrants in the early hours of Tuesday morning, smashing down doors using hydraulic tools and battering rams as part of a major investigation into stolen vehicles believed to be linked to wider criminal activity.
Items Seized and Suspects Detained
During the raids, officers recovered:
- Multiple car keys and vehicle log books
- Several mobile phones
- Suspected class A and class B drugs
- Tools believed to be used in vehicle thefts
- Bicycles and hundreds of pounds in cash
The arrests included:
- A 33-year-old man from Leigh
- A 31-year-old man from Westcliff
- Two men from Southend, aged 27 and 34
- A 40-year-old man from Basildon who later handed himself in at Southend Police Station
Four of the men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group. The 34-year-old Southend man was arrested solely on suspicion of vehicle theft.
All five are currently in police custody for questioning.
Property Closure in Leigh
As part of the operation, Essex Police also issued a closure notice on a property in Danbury Close, Leigh, due to ongoing anti-social behaviour and suspected criminal use. The order restricts anyone not named in the notice from entering the premises. A court hearing is scheduled within 48 hours to seek a three-month closure, during which time possession proceedings will be pursued.
Police and Housing Officials Speak Out
Sergeant Alex Farr of Southend’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said:
“Preventing the theft of vehicles – and catching those responsible – is a priority for the force because we understand the huge impact this crime has on innocent members of the public.
We’re targeting not just the thefts, but the wider criminal networks involved in selling on stolen vehicles and the associated organised crime. Our approach is working – vehicle theft is down, and solved rates are up across Essex year-on-year.”
Anita McGinley, Housing Community Safety Manager at South Essex Homes, added:
“This closure order is a crucial step in eliminating anti-social behaviour associated with this property. We’ll continue to monitor it closely and encourage local residents to report any violations.”
If you have information about vehicle theft or suspicious activity, report it online at www.essex.police.uk, call 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.
