Members of the public could be eligible for a reward of up to £1,000 if they have information on an attempted burglary in Southend. [16 April 2012]

The reward is available from the independent charity Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and charge of the individuals responsible for the incident on Wednesday 4 March 2012.

Three men tried to force their way into a bungalow via a bedroom on Wick Chase shortly after 12.30am. They ran off in the direction of Southchurch Boulevard when disturbed by the homeowner.

Police are linking this attempted burglary to another incident where a red car was broken in to around the same time further down the road and a small quantity of cash was stolen.

Crimestoppers, which allows people to give information 100% anonymously on the 24/7 number 0800 555 111 and via a secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org, is urging members of the public to come forward with information to help catch those responsible.

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers said: “This incident must have been quite distressing for the homeowners to wake up to. Please come forward to the independent charity Crimestoppers to stop these burglars in their tracks. We do not ask for your name and no call is traced or recorded. You won’t have to give a statement, speak to the police or go to court – we only want to know what you know, not who you are. In the 24 years that Crimestoppers has been running we have never broken our anonymity promise.”

She added “Did someone you know display unusual behaviour that night? Has someone confessed to being involved? Perhaps you witnessed an event or saw suspicious activity in the area that night? Crimestoppers wants to receive any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem”.

Only information given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 that leads to an arrest and charge is eligible for the reward. Information can be given online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org but information will not be eligible for a reward this way. This appeal is part of a wider Crimestoppers campaign which has seen a recent crack down on burglary and handling stolen goods in Southend.

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For further information please contact Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers on 07825445720 or ann.scott@crimestoppers-uk.org