A suspected burglar was nabbed by a quick-thinking PCSO – who realised something was amiss when he heard banging coming from an empty Harold Hill home.

Gooshays Safer Neighbourhood Team had been hunting a prolific thief stealing metal from homes advertised as for sale or to let.

Officers teamed up with local estate agents to identify vulnerable properties and police foot patrols in the area increased to deter potential crooks.

Last month PCSO Dan Moss heard banging from inside an empty house and was confronted by a man who said he was working legitimately at the property.

When challenged by the officer, the suspect made a run for it, but was caught shortly afterwards by other members of the safer neighbourhoods team.

Following a search of the suspect’s home, items linking him to similar burglaries were recovered.

Acting Police Sgt Neil Adams said: “I am very proud of all those officers involved in this arrest and particularly the excellent work of PCSO Moss.

“His quick-thinking resulted in the arrest of a suspect believed to be responsible for a number of residential burglaries in the local area.

“This was an excellent example of partnership working with the team developing excellent relations with local estate agents.”

A 46-year-old man from Harold Hill is due in Basildon Crown Court on April 29 charged with one count of burglary.