SPECIALIST officers are to flood the streets as part of a blitz on burglars after 17 break-ins in seven days.

Officers from the operational support unit were sent into Basildon and Billericay as part of the swoop called Operation Talon.

The action came after the district was identified as a burglary blackspot by police chiefs.

Everything from jewellery and electricals to cars has been stolen during the surge in offences.

Inspector Lee Devall, who led the operation, said: “Basildon and Billericay are areas that have been identified as being hit the worst by burglaries over the past two weeks.

“My team have points across the borough manned by uniformed and covert officers.

“We have been doing work around ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) where we have been stopping vehicles linked to criminality.

“It is about denying criminals the use of the road network.”

Officers set up check points on the A127, Broadmayne, Pitsea Tesco, Sun Street, Billericay and Canvey Way last night as part of the operation.

Detectives are also investigating a number of burglaries and attempted burglaries at homes and businesses.

Thieves broke in to a house in Appleford Court, Pitsea, between 6pm on February 11 and 10am on February 12, by forcing open the front door.

They caused £50 damage.

Once inside they stole CDs worth £100.

Between noon on February 9, and 7.45pm on February 12, thieves broke into a house in Falstones, Basildon, by smashing the glass in a back door.

They searched the house and stole £100 jewellery. The crooks caused £100 damage.

On February 11, crooks broke in to a house in The Glen, Vange, between 3.30am and noon.

They forced open a door, searched the house and took a TV, tablet computer, money, speakers and various CDs worth a total of £525.

Anyone with information about the break-ins can call police on 101.