EAGLED-EYED officers uncovered a suspected cannabis factory while investigating a burglary in Pitsea.

Police were called to a property in Piercys, at about 1.30pm yesterday, following reports it was being raided by three men.

When officers arrived they found a bag of what could be cannabis dumped in a nearby garden.

Once inside the raided property, they discovered a scattering of suspected cannabis leaves.

They carried out a finger-tip search of the area, but nothing else was found.

Tests are being carried out to confirm if the dumped bag of foliage is cannabis and how much it could be worth. The three burglars were see making off towards Maydells.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named said: “I looked out of my window and saw about six police cars and officers searching through the gardens.

“I knew they were looking for someone or something.

“We thought it was something serious, that someone had been killed or something.

It’s worrying, but then again it’s Pitsea.”

So far nobody has been arrested in connection with the incident.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: “Police were contacted at 1.30pm with reports that suspects had broken into a property in Piercys, Basildon.

“Three suspects were reported to have broken in and stolen property then made off in the direction of Maydells along Pitsea Road.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101.