A BRAZEN thief stole a pushbike while its owner watched on.

The man left the pale green bike unattended and unlocked outside Robert Michael Estate Agents, in Hart Road, Benfleet, while he went into the office.

He then saw a man get on it before riding off down Dark Lane.

Investigating Officer PC Alun Causaker said: "It is a populated area with lots of shops and traffic. Somebody must have seen something.”

The man is described as a white, about 16-20 years old, slim build, between 5ft 9ins and 5 ft 11 inches tall, and was wearing a black woolly hat with a red band around it, a black jacket and grey jogging bottoms.

The bike is described as an ‘old heavy one’ which has a pale green frame, no mudguard on the front but has a black and silver one on the rear. It also has a ‘D’ lock on the front of the handlebars (not in use) and also has the word ‘Lizard’ on the frame with a picture of a lizard on it.

It happened at 12.40pm on Thursday, April 24.

Anybody with any information contact Pc Alun Causaker on Essex Police 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.