DRUGS and cash were seized after police acted to catch the “villains” responsible for a spate of burglaries and break-ins across Frinton and Walton.

It is understood raiders targeted Frinton Golf Club and Emma’s Kitchen Cafe, in Fourth Avenue, as well as the Royal British Legion, in Vicarage Lane, Walton.

Essex Police believes the same group may be responsible for the break-ins.

With extra officers stationed across the area in response, a Renault Clio and a BMW 118 series were spotted “acting suspiciously” in Princes Esplanade on Saturday night.

Sgt Pete Gerard, of Walton Police, said: “The two vehicles were seen in suspicious circumstances in the area of Frinton.

“They passed officers in a marked police vehicle.

“When the officers tried to turn around to try and stop them, the vehicles made off from the area.”

The silver Clio was later found abandoned in High Street, Walton.

Sgt Gerard confirmed the suspects were no longer with the vehicle.

Witnesses informed officers they had seen the occupants flee in the direction of the seafront.

Evidence including a “large” sum of cash, cannabis and a mobile phone were found in the vehicle.

Essex Police is urging anyone with information about the suspects or the burglaries to come forward.

A spokesman said: “The occupants of the vehicle were clearly in a hurry to get away from the vehicle as they left a surprisingly large sum of cash in the car along with a Tommy Hilfiger man bag, a mobile phone and some drugs.

“Unsurprisingly the vehicle turned out to be uninsured and therefore it was seized.”

He jokingly added: “If you were in the vehicle on Saturday night then we’d love to hear from you, so please get in touch.

“We would also like to talk to the occupants of a black BMW 118 series.”

Sgt Gerard said Tendring’s community police team is working hard to crack down on offenders in the wake of the spate of burglaries in the area.

Last week a spokesman for the Royal British Legion said glass was left scattered after crooks broke into the branch’s Walton office.

It is understood raiders removed tills after breaking into Frinton Golf Club, in Esplanade, Frinton.

Burglars also set off an alarm at a house in Hadleigh Road, Frinton, at around 7.20pm on Thursday, October 18.

They smashed their way in and ransacked an upstairs bedroom.

“There was a spike in break-ins in the Frinton and Walton area last week and we are alert to that,” said Sgt Gerard.

“There are heightened resources in the area and as you can see we are getting results already.”

Sgt Gerard added: “We will keep up the impetus in the area to catch the villains involved in these crimes.”

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Clacton police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.