BURGLARS took advantage of the Easter break and targeted several houses while the owners were away.

A blue £11,000 Mercedes Vito, registration EK04 ZZX, was stolen from outside a cottage in Theydon Mount between 10.45am on Friday and 3pm on Monday, after thieves broke into the property and stole the keys.

An estimated £500 worth of damage was caused to a rear door.

Thieves ransacked a house in Coteford Close, Loughton, between midnight on Saturday and 10am on Monday and stole a laptop and credit cards and caused £165 worth of damage.

Golfing equipment and between 25 and 30 bottles of Champagne, worth a total of £5,000, was stolen from a private garage in Stondon Road, Ongar, between midnight on Sunday and 9am on Monday.

And the occupant of a house in Mason Way, Waltham Abbey, disturbed two burglars who broke in at 3.30am on Tuesday.

Two teenagers wearing hoodies cycled off towards Honey Lane after forcing the front door open. They stole three Sony Ericson mobile phones and two sets of car keys.

Crime reduction officer Tony Ellis said: "Burglars will be aware that a lot of people go away for Easter. It makes houses more vulnerable."