THIEVES used a vehicle to smash down the back fence of a Fish & Chip shop under cover of darkness.

This gave them access to the back yard of the Fryery, in Spa Road, Hockley, where they stole waste cooking oil from a tank.

Police were alerted at 8.50am the following morning.

They believed a vehicle, most likely to be a van, was used in the raid.

Officers have carried out local house-to-house inquiries, but have found no witnesses or other leads yet.

Anyone with information is asked to call Rayleigh police on 0300 333 4444 extension 490124, or you can leave information anonymously at Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.