An armed gang fled after being disturbed while raiding and trashing a flat in Halstead.

The burglars were startled by a concerned neighbour who noticed a flat had its door smashed through.

Not knowing the criminals were still inside he knocked and went to see what was happening before the gang barged past.

Police are appealing for information following the burglary in Conies Road, Halstead.

An eyewitness, who spotted the suspects carrying a hammer and crowbars, raised the alarm but it was too late to stop the flat being ransacked.

It is not yet clear if it was a targeted or random burglary but it is feared it could be another burglary targeting Asian jewellery in the district following a number of similar incidents.

Fortunately, while a neighbour was shoved out of the way, nobody is believed to have been hurt with the flat empty at the time of the raid.

The incident began shortly after 6pm on Tuesday.

It is believed the men used the weapons to force the front door before searching for valuables.

A neighbour, deciding to take out his bins, then noticed the door and went to investigate.

After being disturbed by a neighbour they forced their way out and fled in the direction of Mount Hill after the break-in at about 6.20pm.

It is not known what, if anything, was taken, or if the inquisitive neighbour helped stop the gang before they found what they were after.

A spokesman for Essex Police have confirmed they are investigating this latest attempted burglary.

The spokesman said: “We are investigating following a burglary at an address in Conies Road, Halstead.

“It was reported three men forced their way into the property, carried out a messy search before being disturbed and making off.”

The men are described as being aged in their 30s.

Police are hoping other witnesses may have seen them on their way to the property or fleeing the scene.

Town councillor Jackie Pell said: “It’s distressing to them to come back and see their home has been burgled. Home is everything to people.

“If someone has invaded your home they are invading your privacy and are taking things that aren’t theirs to take."

Anyone with information call Braintree police station on 101.