A man already in jail for stealing from a car has now been banned from touching any vehicles within the M25 London orbital road until 2020.

Errol Willis, 52, of Flaunders Road, East Ham, was handed the four-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) by Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday last week following an investigation by Newham police officers.

The CBO “prohibits Willis from entering or touching any vehicle within the area bounded by the M25 without the express permission of the owner,” according to a Met spokeswoman.

Willis is currently serving a prison sentence for theft from a motor vehicle committed in October last year in Selby Road, Manor Park, and is due to be released at the end of the month, according to police.

He also pleaded guilty to interfering with a vehicle in Sherrard Road, Manor Park, on July 28 last year, and received a community order and rehabilitation activity requirement from the court. He paid costs of £210.

Pc Den Kemp, an anti-social behaviour officer based in Newham, said: “Willis’ behaviour caused his victims distress and when he broke into their vehicles and stole their property his behaviour was totally unacceptable.

“We will robustly pursue those who blight the lives of our residents through their anti-social behaviour. This criminal behaviour order is now in place to prevent Willis causing further harassment, alarm and distress.”

CBOs are civil orders heard in the criminal courts. Breaches of these orders are criminal offences and carry a prison sentence of up to five years.