POLICE are investigating several hundred pounds of damage to vehicles during a two-day spree in the Great Baddow area of Chelmsford Five crimes were committed between June 20 and 21 in various streets in the area.

A car was broken into in Wood Dale, Great Baddow, between 10.30am and 7pm on Sunday.

The would-be thieves jemmied the nearside door, damaging the steering column and ignition barrel, in a failed attempt to steal the vehicle.

Overnight on June 20 to 21 a silver Ford Fiesta Ghia was stolen from Noakes Avenue.

The vehicle was abandoned nearby, with damage to the steering and ignition barrel estimated at about £300. Also overnight, a car parked in Galleywood Road was forced open and several CDs were stolen as well as the ignition barrel being damaged. The CDs were worth £50 and the damage will cost £500 to repair.

Again overnight, a car parked in Dorset Avenue was forced open, causing an estimated £150 of damage to the front nearside door. A messy search was made of the vehicle, but nothing was stolen.

The last crime took place between 11.30pm on June 20 and 9.45pm on June 21.

A car parked in Duffield Road was broken into, causing an estimated £200 of damage to the front offside door and ignition barrel. Nothing was stolen.

PC Jamie Mills, neighbourhood officer for Baddow and Galleywood, said: “It is likely that whoever committed these offences was, in most cases, attempting to steal the cars.

“In several of the offences, the window or front door of the car was forced, so it is possible residents may have heard some noise.

“I would ask anyone who saw or heard anyone acting suspiciously in the streets where these offences took place, on Sunday, June 20, and Monday, June 21, to contact officers.

“They can call police at Chelmsford on 0300 3334444.

“I would also ask motorists to take sensible precautions when parking their cars, particularly ensuring nothing of value is visible through the windows.

“Unfortunately, opportunist thieves may be tempted by seeing items through car windows, and cause significant damage by breaking into the vehicle.”