THIEVES left a home empty-handed after alerting a neighbour with the burglar alarm.

The suspects broke into a house on St Andrews Road, Shoebury, at 7pm on February 24 by smashing a window but, although they began ransacking the property, they set off a burglar alarm and a neighbour came to investigate.

Det Sgt Paul Gutteridge said: "The suspects then fled empty-handed. The description we have at this time is that there were two men involved.

"One of them is described as being around 5ft 7in tall and was wearing a hooded top.

"If anyone saw any suspicious activity in the area at the time or has any other information that could assist our enquiries we would urge them to get in touch.”

Call Det Sgt Gutteridge at Southend CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.