A TEENAGE boy has been arrested on suspicion of terrorising a neighbourhood in Billericay by robbing people and burgling businesses.

A 16-year-old boy from the town has been arrested on suspicion of a staggering 15 offences, including burglary, theft, robbery and attempted robbery.

He was collared by police alongside two other 17-year-old boys after patrolling officers discovered two stolen cars dumped in Glenside on Monday evening and used a police dog to trace a scent.

The trio have since been bailed and police have now revealed that the 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of a string of violent offences in the town centre.

In one of the most serious incidents, he is alleged to have been riding a moped when he tried to steal a mum’s mobile phone as she walked along Billericay High Street.

He grabbed her wrist and, when she didn’t let go, the woman in her fifties was dragged along the floor as he carried on riding along the pavement, it is alleged.

She suffered cuts and bruises and even had a clump of hair pulled out.

Thirteen other offences he is arrested on suspicion of relate to mobile phone thefts, where he allegedly grabbed the phone out of someone’s hand while riding a moped, mountain bike or normal bicycle.

The thefts occurred in Chapel Street, Bell Hill Close, Station Approach and Crescent Road.

He was also arrested on suspicion of burgling Halls Interiors, in the High Street, by smashing open the front door on Tuesday, August 30.

During the burglary, an Apple Mac computer was stolen.

Insp Andy Parkman, from Basildon Police, said: “A 16-year-old boy was arrested by Basildon Police on Monday and has been released on police bail until November 5 pending further investigation.

“We have received a number of community concerns regarding certain crime types occurring in Billericay.

“The arrest of the youth will I hope reassure residents that we will always seek to arrest where possible.”

Det Supt Kevin Baldwin, district commander for Basildon, added that it was not possible to remand the teenager in custody unless there were “exceptional circumstances”.

Anyone with information that can help the police with their investigations can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers.