Crime in Billericay has risen worryingly for the second quarter running, it has been revealed.

A total of 237 offences were reported in the town during the first three months of 1999, up from 229 during the same quarter of 1998.

The figure was also up considerably on the same quarter last year when just 170 offences were reported to police officers.

Car crime is being blamed almost entirely for the rise with 100 offences reported during the period, up on just 63 in the previous spell.

A spate of car thefts on the Queen's Park estate along with an outbreak of thefts of items from cars is thought to be behind much of the increase.

Burglaries at homes also went up while other burglaries, such as those from shops, assaults, criminal damge and shoplifting all fell.

But burglaries of all types still remain higher than in the corresponding period in 1998. Insp Steve Tutton, of Billericay police, told a meeting of the town's area committee that he was "disappointed" with the figures.

But answering a question from town councillor Geoff Galer he denied that the increases were down to new policing practices in operation in the Basildon division.

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