EXCLUSIVE: The Southend girl who went on spree burgling neighbours' homes aged just 11

SPREE: The child targeted homes across Southend within a few hundred metres of her home

ONE of Britain's youngest burglars has been brought to justice after admitting breaking into three homes during a 12-day crime spree during the school holidays.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was aged just 11 when she broke into the first two properties in Southend, Essex, last summer.

Basildon Magistrate's youth court heard this month that In the first incident on August 4 she admitted taking jewellery, electrical goods, and cash of an unknown value.

Cash was stolen by the girl in the second raid on August 7.

Police believe the third crime may have been carried out on her twelfth birthday on August 10, when a knife, jewellery and a rail card were taken from an address.

The burglaries all took place within a few hundred metres of her home in the seaside town.

Her sentence was a referral to Southend youth offender panel for six months, with her mother having to attend all meetings with her.

The youngster was also ordered to pay £290 compensation.

She was arrested last October during a high-profile operation involving four police forces that targeted burglars, thieves and robbers.

Essex Police joined forces City of London Police, the British Transport Police and the Met Police to execute warrants across the county.

Five other people were arrested.

At the time of the operation, Essex Police suspected her of involvement in another burglary in the town and an attempted break in there, but she was not charged in connection with these.