A war veteran claims police are not doing enough to tackle crime.

Ex-soldier Paul Crawley, 89, became a victim of brazen thieves who stole his Land Rover Discovery from his driveway in Colchester Road, Heybridge.

Mr Crawley relied on the gold 4x4, which had a personalised number plate H8 UGY, has called for more police presence.

He said: “When I was a young man, if one car went in a year that was a crime.

“Now three or four go in a week.”

His car is one of at least eight stolen since January that police have made the media aware of.

Maldon police said vehicle crime fell by 37.6% last year and the police service has been subject to the same economic pressures and budget cuts as many other public organisations.