BACK yard raiders struck across a number of homes in a residential area of Grays in the early hours of this morning (Thursday, 3 February), probing and searching several properties before eventually forcing entry into a summer house which they ransacked before stealing items.

Three men have been captured on CCTV during their spree across homes in Nutberry Avenue, Grays, ending in the back garden of a house of Lodge Lane - where they wreaked considerable damage.

Police are investigating the incident which saw the raiders break locks on sheds, summer houses and back yard bars before finally targeting the Lodge Lane property.

One resident told Nub News: "There are various pictures of the three as they worked their way through about ten back yards. They appeared to be so confident about what they were doing and were equipped with torches and equipment to break locks. It is really scary to think they were there for quite a considerable time – who knows if they are planning to come back?

"And our sympathies go to the final householder and our neighbour who suffered the major damage. What is really disgusting is that while they might have felt a reason to steal, there can be no excuse for trashing someone's property just for the sake of it.

"No doubt they have little fear of the law and what might happen if they are caught. They are so brazen about what they are doing, they don't appear to have any concern about what they are doing or the consequences."

Police are investigating the incidents and this evening carried out forensic examinations of the garden and took copies of various pieces of CCTV footage.