A MAN arrested by sharp-eyed roads policing officers has been sentenced after pleading guilty to car theft.

The officers were on patrol in Thurrock when they spotted a car that had been linked to vehicle thefts in Leigh-on-Sea and Wickford. They pulled the car over and arrested the driver, who was remanded in custody.

Following an investigation, Liam Bowers, 23, of Gumley Close, Grays, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft of a motor vehicle at Southend Magistrates' Court.

He was handed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, ordered to pay £4,000 compensation, and will have to wear an electronic GPS tag until 2028.

Police have reported that, across Essex, car theft has dropped by 15.2% in the past 12 months with 852 fewer offences reported. 

Sergeant Alex Farr of the force's Proactive Problem-Solving Team said: "Having your car or van stolen is incredibly distressing. These are vehicles that people rely on for work or to take their children to school.

"Across the force, vehicle crime is a priority and we are disrupting the organised criminal gangs and arresting the opportunistic individuals responsible for thefts. The number of cars being stolen is decreasing and our solved rate is rising.

"If you own a vehicle, make it less attractive to potential thieves by always making sure it's double locked. You could also consider a Disklok for your steering wheel. Keep your keys out of sight and away from your front door, or store them in a signal blocking pouch."

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