A HAUL worth £21,000 was stolen by burglars.

The crooks forced their way into the house in Central Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope.

Once inside, they stole the keys to a Land Rover, which they drove awayl. They also stole two iPods and a laptop computer.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the break-in.

Alan Twine, crime reduction officer for Thurrock police, urged people to keep car keys out of sight.

He said: “We would like to remind residents to put car keys in a safe place, not on key hooks and away from windows and doors.”

Witnesses to the theft, between 3am and 7am on Wednesdaym can call detectives at Tilbury CID on 0300 3334444.