Thieves have broken into ten cars in the space of 72 hours.

Several motorists in Laindon and Billericay were left counting the cost after the crooks broke windows and bent doors to get into vehicles before stealing car stereos, CDs, cash and other belongings.

At the busy commuter car park in Laindon Link, opposite Great Knightleys, five cars were broken into.

Around £1,200 worth of belongings were stolen and nearly £600 of damage was caused.

Thieves also targeted five cars in Billericay, three in the same road, stealing goods worth £650 and causing £600 worth of damage.

Labour councillor Lynda Gordon, whose Lee Chapel North ward includes the commuter car park in Laindon Link, feared the break-ins will lead worried commuters to park on already clogged residential roads.

She said: "This is an affordable car park for when people are travelling into London and it keeps the streets unclogged.

"But this is worrying for various reasons, not least the fact that if cars are being broken into it will stop people parking there and they will park on residential roads.

"You can't blame them for doing it."

Stephen Farmer, 28, of Fairfield Rise, Billericay has been left nearly £600 out of pocket after he and his girlfriend Carole Jackman both had their cars broken into.

The couple's Ford Focus and Ford KA, which had been parked on their driveway, had their windows smashed by thieves who caused £300 damage.

A CD player was stolen from one car, a stereo security device from the other.

Now Mr Farmer has been left to foot the bill or otherwise face losing his car insurance no claims bonus.

He added: "My view is the cars are only a piece of metal, but it's just all the inconvenience this has caused.

"It took me two hours to clean up all the glass, we spent all day waiting for the police to come and I've had to take a day off work to get the windows fixed."

Anyone with information about any of the break-ins can call police at Basildon on 01268 532212.