POLICE insist they are leaving no stone unturned in the war against crime despite robberies rising dramatically this year across Castle Point and Rochford.

Data from Essex Police revealed robberies on people in the district are up 52.5 per cent from the previous year.

The force said it has dealt with issues in the summer with a “large group” of people committing offences.

Last month, a series of robberies on Canvey caused serious concern.

Chief Insp Paul Hogben, district commander for Castle Point and Rochford, updated the public on that investigation, adding: “A lot of residents believed they knew who committed the robberies on Canvey, they may well have been right but it’s about getting that in an evidential state.

“I went out with officers and we talked through everything that’s happened with residents and we got that progressed and saw the suspect arrested.”

Chief Insp Hogben moved to reassure people about reporting crime.

He said: “There’s a lot of different reasons why people may not feel safe reporting, just because we put bail conditions in place doesn’t mean the defendant will follow them.

“We have options to improve safety such as 24/7 response coverage if bail conditions are breached, anonymity screens when people are reporting in court, reporting via live link or pre-recorded video.”

Mr Hogben said elsewhere his team’s work had secured the conviction of a man following a series of shed burglaries on Canvey The burglaries began in the Linden Way area of Canvey.

A 21-year-old suspect was arrested on November 23 following reports he had entered a victim’s address and stolen property.

Among stolen items was the victim’s wedding ring which was later recovered from a pawn shop.

The suspect was charged with burglary and fraud by false representation but released on bail.

He was then arrested again a week later on November 30 after a victim reported keys to a minibus were stolen along with their wallet which was inside.

The suspect entered the victim’s garage and stole items. He was charged with burglary and theft from a motor vehicle.

He pleaded guilty and has been remanded for sentencing in January.