A MAN who admitted to several incidents of vehicle interference has been fined.

Stephen Coe, 35, of Radburn Close, Harlow, admitted vehicle interference involving 16 cars and one count of theft from a vehicle when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last week.

Coe was arrested in January after two members of the public called the police to report a man acting suspiciously in connection with their cars, a Mercedes and a Volkswagen, in Harlow.

As officers searched the area for the man, they located Coe at the underpass at Chapel Fields.

He had a tablet which was reported missing from the Volkswagen and when officers searched his bag, he had keys belonging to the Mercedes.

An investigation was launched by the Harlow Community Policing Team, and Coe was identified as being linked to 15 other reports of vehicle intervention across the Harlow district between December 2023 and January this year.

He admitted the 17 offences and later appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.

Coe was issued with a community order, fined more than £300 and was also required to undertake a rehabilitation activity order.

Chief Inspector Paul Austin said: "Motor vehicle crime is a priority for us in Harlow as we know the impact it has on its victims.

"If you have information about who is responsible, then contact us and we will deal."