DETECTIVES are hunting for burglars who have broken into nine homes in a bid to steal cars.

In the past two weeks, thieves have stolen seven cars after targeting homes in Marks Tey, Eight Ash Green and Stanway.

Det Sgt Gavin Watson, from Colchester police’s burglary and robbery team, said burglars had searched homes for car keys in order to take vehicles parked outside.

Two cars – a Mercedes and a Volkswagen, valued at a total of £52,000 – were stolen from outside a house in Eight Ash Green on September 3.

A Nissan and a Vauxhall, worth a total of £37,000, were taken from Marks Tey between 11.45pm on August 31 and 6.45am the following day.

Det Sgt Watson said: “We are extremely keen to stress to people the importance of checking and then double-checking their doors and windows before they go out or go to bed.

“In several of these recent burglaries, we believe the suspect has entered the property through an unsecured uPVC door.

“We find many residents don’t realise these doors only lock when you lift the handle up and then turn the key.

“There’s a belief that the door will be secure just by lifting the handle, but this isn’t enough. Many thieves are opportunistic and try several doors in a street.”

He said thieves were unsuccessful in four of the attempts, three in Marks Tey and one in Tollgate Drive, Stanway, but all of the incidents are being linked.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call Det Sgt Watson on 0300 3334444.