BURGLARIES at homes in the Maldon district have risen up by more than 30 per cent, new data reveals.

Figures released in Essex Police’s performance summary from February 2016 to February 2017 show the number of burglaries from homes in the district has risen by 31.4 per cent from 104 inci - dents to 134.

The number of burglaries overall in the district in 2016 was 333, an 11 per cent increase from 2015.

Vehicle thefts increased by 42.3 per cent from 52 to 74 recorded incidents, and arson attacks also increased from eight to 13 incidents.

Pensioner David Hopkins, of Lower Burnham Road, near Burnham, had his house ransacked in November where thieves forced their way in and destroyed a safe, stealing valuables and leaving their possessions strewn everywhere.

He said: “We know the police funding isn’t always available, but they have to be careful, if it gets any worse we could see vigilantes cropping up.

“We’re losing the fabric of our society.

“These abhorrent acts are now commonplace, and it’s frightening a lot of people, and many elderly people now feel really vulnerable.”

A report to Maldon District Council’s Crime and Disorder Committee meeting on Tuesday highlighted Essex Police’s pledge to increase its presence in the district.

It concluded: “Failure to deliver on the police visibility agenda will create a wider void between the public and police on satisfaction and the ability to perform and detect crime in rural areas.”

Burnham mayor Ron Pratt said: “I’m highly disappointed in the increase. I’ve been to all of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s talks and consultations, and whilst I can understand the stretched budget means more limited resources, I feel that the budget given for our area could still go higher.

“A presence of police in Burnham and the sur - rounding areas is what the town needs and deserves. It’s reached the stage now where as a resident, I feel vulnerable.”

The commissioner for police and crime in Essex has responded to concerns about police funding and visibility for the district.

In a report due to go before Maldon District Council’s Crime and Disorder Committee on Monday, the core funding for Essex Police for the 2017/18 financial year would be £12,527 million, with the Maldon outlay equating to £1,708 million.

The report said: “ Whilst it was difficult to be visible all the time in rural areas, the recent development in community safety hubs would take priorities from local crime and disorder strategies and prioritise that area. Hard work would be put in to ensure increased police visibility.”

But some, including Burnham mayor Ron Pratt, believe the budget could be higher. Essex PCC Roger Hirst has stated he will be reviewing how funding is allocated.

He said: “Essex Police is one of the most tightly funded forces in the country. “The funding formula has historically favoured areas with high crime rates, and less those good at preventing crime.

“I am currently working with other PCCs and the Home Office to review the way funding is allocated to ensure a fairer distribution and am determined that this will result in an increase in funding for Essex.”