A total of 13 people were arrested as part of a five-day police operation targeting suspected burglars.

Operation Albatross, run by officers in Epping Forest and Brentwood, saw known hotspots targteted and roadside checks being carried out.

It ended with two people being charged with burglary, one being charged with robbery and abstracting electricity, and two charged with handling stolen goods.

Kenny Gordon, 25 of Thornhill, North Weald has been charged with two counts of handling stolen goods and one count of producing cannabis.

Daniel Mulligan, 20, of Potter Street, Harlow who was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and two counts of driving a motor vehicle without a proper licence.

Thomas Iverson, 24, of no fixed address and a 17-year-old from Harlow were charged with burglary.

Stephen Hirst, 42, of Vaughan William Way, Brentwood, was charged with abstracting electricity.

A further two people were arrested for non-payment of fines, another for failing to answer bail, and one man was handed over to Metropolitan Police investigating a car theft.

A further four suspects were bailed pending further enquiries into offences including burglary and conspiracy to steal.

Epping Forest District Council and Brentwood Borough Council also took part in the operation and took enforcement action for 20 environmental offences and offences relating to scrap metal transportation.

Detective Inspector Rob Huddlestone said: "We have put a number of people before the courts, and we will aim to build on this success.

“We also need the people of Essex to help us; to take sensible precautions to protect their homes and give us the information and intelligence we need.”

The Guardian is awaiting further details.