Burglars broke into sheds, garages and outbuildings at six properties in the same neighbourhood over the course of a single night.

Tools and gardening equipment were stolen from addresses in Salary Close and Bromley Road, Colchester, overnight on Sunday, June 9.

Since the end of the May there have been 20 similar incidents reported in Colchester and its nearby villages, where thieves have taken a range of items including golf clubs, gardening equipment, electrical tools and bicycles.

Colchester’s crime reduction advisor, Stephen Armson-Smith said: “Garages, sheds and barns by the nature of their construction and position, especially when away from the house are always going to vulnerable.

“With a number of these offences the buildings have been either insecure or had inadequate locks and security.”

If you can help the investigation into recent burglaries call Essex police on 101.