Police are launching a cross-district operation to reduce a seasonal spike in burglaries.

Epping Forest and Neighbouring Brentwood district forces will be stationed in crime hotspots to act as deterrent to potential offenders.

Plain clothes officers will also be deployed as part of Operation Albatross in order to catch any opportunist criminals.

Epping Forest District Commander, Tracey Harman, said: “With the increase we have seen in previous years as the clocks go back we want to deliver the message that Epping Forest District is not the place to commit crime.”

In 2012 the number of burglaries rose by 7.5 per cent in the last three months of the year, compared to the same period in 2011.

The increase is attributed to burglers targeting presents bought in the lead up to Christmas and fewer residents being outdoors to report suspicious behaviour in the winter months.

Police will operate road checks on routes popular with criminals, as well as increase a police presence at transports hubs.

Council officials will also be focussing on vehicles transporting waste materials and scrap metal to ensure correct practices are being observed.

The week-long operation will begin on Monday.