A group which supports the victims of crime pleaded with thieves to stop picking on the elderly.

It follows a series of thefts and burglaries which have left the elderly victims devastated.

Manager of Thurrock Victim Support, Arthur Welsh, said: "In the last few days I have had three reports of burglaries at the homes of people in their 80s and 90s. The people committing these crimes are cowards and bullies, picking on the most vulnerable people in our community.

"This can cause terrible trauma to the victims and I would beg the culprits halt their activities.

"The amount of money they steal is often small but the effect on their victims can be enormous. It can wreck their lives because they never again feel safe in their homes."

He said that neighbours could help prevent them becoming crime statistics by being nosy.

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