POLICE are taking the unusual step of asking motorists to send in dashcam footage of people running away from burglaries following a spate of break-ins in Wickford.

Drivers are asked to check their footage of when they are driving through the town in case they capture criminals carrying bags of stolen belongings.

It comes after at least £10,000 worth of jewellery were stolen from addresses in Castledon Road and Elizabeth Drive.

Thieves raided the address in Castledon Road on Sunday, March 12 sometime during the day between 9.15am and 7pm after they forced open the back door.

They ransacked the house and police say a five-figure sum of jewellery was taken,

Burglars targeted the premises in Elizabeth Drive at about 8.10pm on Monday after smashing a rear patio door.

They stole a 9ct gold gate bracelet, a 9ct gold antique fob watch in a wallet, a Gucci bangle watch, a Gucci stainless steel watch with diamond inlay, and white gold and diamond earrings.

On the same day, burglars targeted a home in London Road between 1.45pm and 2pm and smashed the glass in the back door.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Suspects are thought to have been disturbed by the house alarm which was activated. Motorists are asked to check dashcam footage to see if they have caught the suspects running off.

“Anyone who saw anyone running from the area is asked to contact Det Con Danielle Hutton at Basildon CID.”

Sarah Keevil, who runs the Crimewatch Wickford Facebook page, said: “The reports of burglaries on the page have definitely stepped up a bit this month.

“The latest ones seem to be during the day.

“Although we can urge people as much as we can to double lock their doors, there are just some instances where a small minority will get in anyway.

“Make sure you know your neighbours well so they know when there is unusual activity when you are not at home.

“It’s very good that the police are going to such lengths to find these people.

“It is fantastic that they are doing all they can to sort these burglary issues out.”

Police are also searching for a hooded man, about 5ft 9ins tall, with a slim build, who tried to get inside a house in Mount Road on Sunday.

He was disturbed and did not get inside.

Anyone who believes that they have been offered any of the jewellery items for sale, or has any other information about the burglaries, is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.