COPS have launched a team dedicated to tackling burglaries in Southend, after break-ins rocketed by 70 per cent in the town.

The number of houses and businesses targeted in the town has risen from 333, between April and October last year, to 563 for the same period this year.

Yesterday, a woman in her forties was sprayed in the face with a noxious substance after she disturbed two burglars in her home in Rochford Road, Southend, at about 1.40pm. Both men were white, with the first man aged about 18 to 20 and about 5ft 5ins tall.

He was wearing a dark tracksuit and grey hat with earflaps and tassles.

The second man was taller and wearing a dark, hooded top. They fled empty-handed in a black Vauxhall Corsa, parked in a layby in Eastwoodbury Crescent.

Chief Inspector Andy Prophet said: “We launched an operation in October in response to the increased number of house burglaries.

“The high percentage increase we have seen this year is, to a degree, a reflection of the large reductions we achieved last year.

“We know we need to do everything we can to reduce the level of offending.”

Ch Insp Prophet said there was a range of goods being stolen, including cash, jewellery, and electrical goods.

The force has been sending officers to patrol burglary hot-spots. Second-hand shops and cash exchanges have also been urged to be on the look-out for burglars who attempt to sell on stolen goods.

Ch Insp Prophet also urged people to take their own precautions to ensure they do not become a victim of burglary this Christmas.

He added: “There are simple things we can all do to help ourselves.

“Make sure you double lock your doors and windows, leave your lights on if you go out when it’s dark, use your alarm, fit a sensor light to your side path, keep an eye out for your neighbour’s house if they are away, and so on.”

Anyone with information about the attempted burglary in Rochford Road should call police on 0300 3334444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.