POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a burglary and an attempted burglary by thieves claiming to be officers.

Both incidents took place on Friday April 29.

The first saw three men, wearing what looked like police jackets, attempting to break into the garden of a house in The Slades, Basildon at around 9.30pm.

At 10pm, four men wearing black jackets with the word police on, forced their way into a house in Salcott Crescent, Wickford by claiming to be police officers.

Cash and jewellery were stolen, and officers believe the incidents to be linked.

Police say that the suspects are described as white, aged in their early thirties, all around 6ft tall and with skinny builds. They may have left the scene in a dark coloured Volkswagen Golf.

Residents are advised that genuine police officers will carry a warrant card. If they have any concerns that someone is calling at their house pretending to be a police officer they should call 101 to confirm their identity.

Anyone with any information about the burglary should contact Dc Danielle Hutton at Basildon CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.