More than 40,000 homes in Clacton-on-Sea are being sent postcards in a bid to help cut burglaries in the town.

Essex Crimestoppers is launching the campaign to get residents to pass on information about burglaries or stolen goods in the area. Those that pass on information could even get a cash reward.

Burglars raided 265 homes in Clacton and 6849 homes across the whole of Essex during last year. Last year Crimestoppers received 5442 pieces of actionable information relating to burglary and theft leading to 608 arrests and charges across the UK.

Can you help us solve burglaries?

The postcards are being put through letterboxes at homes in the town over the next few weeks. One postcard asks if residents know anything about any burglaries or if they have information about anyone handling stolen goods.  The second postcard tells residents about Crimestoppers’ reward system for information. Up to £1,000 can be claimed for any information which leads to the arrest and charge of those responsible for burglaries or handling stolen goods.

Information received so far

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, said: “We really need people in Clacton to tell us anything they know about burglaries and people handling stolen goods.

“During the past 12 months, 43 pieces of information have been received about burglary and handling stolen goods in Essex and as a result 4 people have been arrested and convicted. While this is a great result, we still need more information about these crimes. Maybe someone has confessed to being involved in a burglary or you know who is handling stolen goods in your area”.

Please call 0800 555 111

Stuart Rawlins, chair of Essex Crimestoppers, urged anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to call the Crimestoppers’ number.

He said: “Being burgled is not just about losing possessions, it also robs you of feeling safe in your own home. People should be able to feel secure and confident in their homes. No one has anything to fear by contacting Crimestoppers as you will remain anonymous – no personal information is taken. Calls are not traced or recorded and you will not have to go to court or give a statement to the police. In the 23 years that Crimestoppers has been running we have never broken our promise of anonymity”.

Results of similar campaign

A similar burglary campaign run in Basildon and Southend last year by Crimestoppers saw a 26 per cent increase in information about burglary and handling stolen goods with five arrests and convictions.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also complete an anonymous ‘giving information’ form.