TWO crooks have been slapped with an electronic tags after breaking into Southend firms to steal copper pipes.

Michael Wood, 47, of Beresford Road, Southend, and Darren Ford, 46, of Beresford Road, Southend, broke into a propery in Tylers Avenue in broad daylight.

At around 8.45am on March 7, Southend Council CCTV operators saw both men in the garden area of an empty business address in the road.

They forced their way into the building and took copper piping before leaving.

Wood and Ford were seen by police officers walking in Chichester Road and they were arrested by officers from Southend’s Community Policing Team.

They were sentenced for one count of burglary at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

They have been ordered to wear an electronic tag for three months up until Tuesday 20 October and they must be at home between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

They have been ordered to pay court costs, victim surcharge and compensation totalling £455.

Sergeant David Gardiner, of Southend Community Policing Team, said: “Wood and Ford were caught following some excellent work by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council CCTV operators who quickly alerted officers patrolling nearby.

"This was a great example of the successful partnership that exists in Southend between police and partner agencies, working together for the benefit of the community.

"Both men were arrested and charged the same day and yesterday they were convicted for their actions. They will both face restrictions through electronic tagging and a three month curfew.”

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for community safety and customer contact, said: “This is a fantastic piece of partnership work, highlighting the important role the CCTV operatives have in supporting our emergency services.

"The swift response work ensured these criminals were caught and dealt with in the same day, which is positive to see.”