Motorists with older cars should make absolutely sure that they undertake simple security measures if they want to avoid making motor insurance claims, a senior police official has said.

Speaking in response to a spate of recent car theft problems in the Essex towns of Basildon and Thurrock, acting inspector Danny Parsons claimed that police would be ramping up their presence in the area - but added that car owners should take simple precautions to ensure that their car isn't targeted by thieves.

A total of 67 cars have been stolen in the two towns in the last fortnight, local paper the Echo reports.

"If people have older vehicles, without hi-tech security devices, items like crook locks are still worth using. It's not rocket science to figure out that a car with a crook lock is less likely to be taken," Mr Parsons said.