Police are stepping up patrols in Braintree as three houses were burgled within five days.

Thieves raided homes in Megs Way, Hazel Grove and Orchard Drive over the last week, stealing thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and cash.

Police say that some of the burglaries could be linked.

More than £5,000 worth of jewellery was stolen from a house in Megs Way between 6pm and 6.30pm last Friday while the homeowner was celebrating her birthday away.

The 43-year-old kitchen designer, who did not want to be named, said she returned home - after her friend alerted her - to discover a side window had been smashed and every room upstairs had been completely ransacked.

The thieves also stole a safe, which included important documents such as deeds, passports and a driver’s licence.

See this week's Braintree Times for the full story.