A caravan park was raided and series of arrests were made this morning following 10 ATM thefts spanning four counties.

At around 6.30am this morning officers executed nine warrants at three locations across Brentwood, Harlow and Stansted Abbotts.

Four properties were entered at Fern Hill Lane caravan site in Harlow, with a total of seven men were arrested by the force.

The raids followed the theft of 10 ATM machines in Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey stretching back to March last year.

The areas affected in Essex were Corringham, South Ockendon, Rainham, Brentwood and Loughton.

It is not currently clear whether the Loughton theft police referred to was one in which the Langston Road shopping centre Aldi was targeted in July last year.

The warrants also follow over 100 investigations by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

The men, aged between 18 and 43, all remain in custody for questioning.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Three boys, aged 17 and 15, were also arrested during the warrants on suspicion of burglary and theft.

This follows an incident in Herons Wood, Harlow, on February 5, where suspects entered a property and stole a vehicle.

Chief Inspector Matt Cornish, divisional commander for Harlow, said: “Today’s warrants were a success with seven people in custody in connection with numerous cash machine thefts in the region.

“Additionally, three teenagers remain in custody in connection with a burglary in Harlow last month.

“The warrants have followed some fantastic work by Harlow's Community Policing Team and our Serious Crime Directorate, who have both investigated dozens of crimes involving organised crime groups that have stretched many constituencies and counties.

“I would like to thank them for the hard work and dedication in helping to make communities like Harlow a safer place.”

Four men are also due in Isleworth Crown Court for a trial on May 28 in connection with ATM theft offences in London and Essex.

The conspiracy to burgle charges were secured in partnership with Metropolitan Police Service, who is managing the case.

Anyone with information about cash machine thefts in Essex are asked to call Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.