THREE men have been charged as part of Essex Police's investigation into a series of burglaries in Basildon.

The men have been charged with a number of burglary offences which have taken place across Basildon. 

On Monday, 16 September, in the early hours of the morning, police were alerted to a vehicle being driven into a shop in Town Square.

Substantial damage was caused to the property.

On Friday 20 September, the force received a number of calls reporting similar incidents at four separate locations in Basildon.

All took place in the early hours of the morning, between 3am and 5am, and typically involved a vehicle, reported as a silver SUV, being driven into shops, with suspects then attempting to gain access or gaining access to the properties. 

Businesses impacted were in locations including Ballards Walk, Wrexham Road, Austen Road and Britannia Court, and included takeaway restaurants or shops.

As part of that investigation, officers began linking a number of other offences, which allowed them to pursue targeted CCTV and forensic opportunities. 

As a result of that ongoing work, a vehicle was seized on Wednesday (25 September) and three men were arrested. 

Police have now charged Robert Blackmore, 35, of Butneys, in Basildon, with four counts of burglary between 10 and 16 August. He is also charged with one count of theft on 17 August, alongside Thomas Wallace, 36, of Middle Crockerford, Basildon.

Ricky Wilson, 30, of Pattiswick Square, Basildon, has been charged with three counts of burglary.

Other offences which are being investigated remain active.  

They appeared atn Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Saturday (28 September). 

Detective Sergeant James McLean-Brown said: "This is clearly a significant step forward in the investigation into this series of offences, which has significantly impacted numerous businesses in our town. 

"These arrests and the charges are the result of some really intensive work, most notably from Basildon CID, which included reviewing many hours of CCTV footage, making sure all forensic opportunities and ultimately identifying three people we believe to have been responsible.

"We're acutely aware of the impact upon the businesses in this case and we'll be working with them to ensure they continue to be supported as they move forward."