STREET lights should be switched back on across two estates in Colchester to combat a recent crimewave, according to a councillor.

Dave Harris is calling for a temporary switch-on while police try to catch a gang who appear to have targeted the Solus and Quarters estates.

Up to a dozen people broke into homes during the early hours of Wednesday, January 11, to steal cars.

Mr Harris believes they may have visited before, when a barbers was raided.

He has written to Colchester’s district commander Chief Insp Elliott Judge and Essex County Council to make the request.

He said: “I have discussed this with my ward colleagues and we all agree.

“Under the circumstances the county council need to turn the lights on for a few weeks.

“I have asked the police to back the switch on.

“When part night lighting came in the claim from the police was it had no effect on crime. This is clearly a time it has.

“It is one way to combat these criminals until we get ourselves organised and get back to normality.”

Mr Harris is hoping to revitalise the Neighbourhood Watch in the area with a meeting planned later this month.

During the early hours of the morning last Wednesday a gang of men were spotted acting suspiciously on the estate.

Car keys were stolen from a home in Walls Mews. A silver Mercedes SL and silver Vauxhall Signum Club were stolen together with a wallet.

A card was later used in McDonald’s and Tesco near Weeley.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police were called to reports of a burglary in Colchester.

“The victim, a man in his 30s, reported someone had reached threw the letterbox of his address in Wall Mews at some point between 9pm on January 10 and 7.25am on January 11.

“At the same time a home was broken into in John Hammond Close.”

Keys were stolen and a blue Vauxhall Astra convertible was stolen.

Other crimes in the surrounding area include a burglary at a home in Berechurch Road during the morning of January 9.

A garden fork was used to smash through patio doors.

That night a car was driven across a garden on the same road smashing plant pots and causing damage.

Overnight between January 10 and 11 a moped was stolen from in front of a home in Queen Mary Avenue.

A car was stolen from in front of another home on Queen Mary Avenue overnight between Saturday and Sunday.

Police are investigating the incidents.

It is not known if all the offences are connected.

Mr Harris said: “The area is being targeted, particularly the Solus and Quarters estates.

“Other crimes are being committed but the focus appears to be the estates.

“I am hopeful the police will be able to get CCTV that will give them good evidence.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “The safety of Essex residents is of utmost importance and we will listen to any request from the police on an individual basis if there are concerns about safety in an area covered by part night lighting.

“The council continues to work with Essex Police to monitor any patterns of crime, anti-social behaviour and road collisions that could be linked to part night lighting across the county.”

Anyone with any information call Colchester CID on 101.