Police say they have stepped up patrols after a spate of burglaries in a residential street.

Rugby Road, in Dagenham, has seen at least six house burglaries since February 17.

According to police, safer neighbourhood team officers are conducting “enhanced patrols” at various times, in both uniform and plain clothes.

They are also visiting the homes which were burgled and offering crime prevention advice.

One Rugby Road resident, who did not want to be named, said she had seen a man standing on top of a shed roof late at night a few weeks ago.

The mum-of-two added: “He looked as if he was surveying the area - it was very suspicious.”

“It does worry me that there have been so many burglaries. I wish there was more police presence here, but we [the residents] try and look out for each other.”

Chief Inspector Richard Goodwin of Barking and Dagenham Police said: “Officers will continue to patrol and investigate the crimes in this area until the culprit is identified, caught, and placed before the courts.” He urged residents to double lock UPVC doors and call 999 immediately if they see anything suspicious.