Police are appealing for the public's help to identify a man after reports a suspect in a hard hat tried to break into a south Essex home.

Essex Police officers were called to an address on Heath Road, Orsett, following reports of a man attempting to break into a house.

The victim was inside the house when their door was repeatedly kicked. When confronted, the man who was wearing a hard hat said he was there to clean the gutters and left.

The reported incident took place at midday on October 16.

Echo: CCTV footage of the man police are trying to identifyCCTV footage of the man police are trying to identify (Image: Essex Police)

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are appealing to anyone who may recognise this man or have any information which could assist to contact us and assist with this investigation.

"If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm."

Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about the force's website reporting services.

Alternatively, call 101. In an emergency always call 999.

To make an anonymous report, contact independent charity Crimestoppers by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Quote incident 42/258605/22 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.