FOUR cars were stolen from outside the same house after thieves broke in and stole the keys.

At least five people are thought to have been involved in the theft which is believed to be the largest of its kind involving vehicles taken from a private address.A suspected gang targeted the property in Jessel Drive, in Loughton, in the early hours of Friday morning while the occupant was asleep.

Police crime reduction officer Tony Ellis said thieves had forced front door between 12.15am and 5.40am.

They stole the keys to a black Renault Trafic, registration number EY55 JXB; a silver Ford Mondeo, registration AD55 KGG; a black BMW316i, registration number R159 BAR; and a black Smart car, registration number MX03 XHL.

They also stole a Hewlett Packard laptop computer, a Samsung and Nokia mobile phone.

Mr Ellis said the occupant was disturbed by the sound of the vehicles being driven off, but did not see anything.

He said: “Unless they all walked to the house it would suggest at least five people were involved in the offence which is particularly concerning.”

Mr Ellis said: “It’s not common. We frequently get one sometimes two but it’s not often you hear of four being stolen from the same private premises.”

Such thefts are becoming increasingly common.

Last week we reported how six cars from across the district were stolen after keys were taken from inside properties.

Three men were later arrested in connection with the incidents and have been bailed until October and November pending further inquiries.