A crimewave is sweeping Southend as burglars smash their way into houses while the owners are at work.

The unusual spate of house burglaries involves crooks smashing a back window or door to get into the home, before escaping with thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and electrical goods.

Thieves stole £11,000 worth of Fuji and Nikon photography equipment and jewellery, including a platinum wedding and engagement ring, after smashing the glass in the back door of a home in Britannia Road, Westcliff.

The crooks also stole a black iPod inscribed with a personal message during the raid on the house, which happened between 12.30pm and 4.50pm on Tuesday.

Thieves also smashed the rear French door of a house in Green Lane, Leigh, between 1.30pm and 4.30pm last Wednesday, causing £150 damage.

They ransacked the house, grabbing a white gold necklace, a ring, two pairs of earrings, a digital camera and a mobile phone worth a total of £6,700.

Last Thursday, burglars smashed through the glass of a back door of a house in Fleming Avenue, Leigh, between 9.10am and 5pm, causing £1,000 damage.

They stole a PlayStation 3 games console, games, silver cufflinks and a digital camera, worth a total of £700. Police are now urging neighbours to be extra vigilant to suspicious activity in their road and to report it to police.

Julia Pack, spokeswoman for Essex Police, said: "It is an awful experience for these victims to return home after a hard day's work to find their house has been burgled.

"We would urge neighbours to keep an eye out for each other and report anything remotely suspicious to police.

"Especially if you hear the sound of smashing glass - don't ignore it, report it to police, as it could be extremely important to subseqent investigations."