A Halstead business owner whose firm was targeted by burglars has warned that crime could spike due to a lack of police presence in the town.

Peter Lynn, who has ran Lynn Ex-Government Vehicles, based in Factory Lane West, for about 20 years, called for a heightened police presence after burglars stole a former post office van from his yard last week.

The red Vauxhall Combo van, index EO55 UUL, which was worth £1,500, was taken overnight between last Tuesday and Wednesday.

As Mr Lynn arrived at work at 9am last Wednesday, he was shocked to discover the security chain to his yard was cut open, the front door to the firm’s building had been forced and his £500 laptop had gone.

He suggested that more police needed to be visible on the streets or risk burglars continuing to target homes and businesses.

The 60-year-old, who is known as Jock, said: “This is the first time this has happened in 20 years and I think it reflects the fact that police aren’t about as much as they used to be."

See this week's Halstead Gazette for the full story.