Officers from the Essex Police Basildon Local Policing Team arrested two 19-year-old men during the early hours of 14 March 2026 after catching them inside a vacant council property in Basildon, Essex. The pair were discovered hiding within the building following reports of a burglary in progress. This proactive arrest has highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle property crime in the local area.
Once inside the home, which is owned by Basildon Borough Council, police found damage suggesting the men were trying to steal copper piping. Both individuals were already wanted by the police for other matters, including a court warrant for assault and previous reports of burglary and machinery theft.
The arrests have sparked discussion among neighbours who claim the property has been boarded up and left empty for about two years. Local residents reported being woken up by the police activity at 4:30 am and expressed concern that long-term empty buildings are becoming targets for criminals.
This incident has brought fresh attention to how the council manages its housing stock during a period of high demand for homes. Community members continue to call for quicker turnarounds on vacant properties to prevent anti-social behaviour and theft in their neighbourhoods.
