POLICE are hunting a suspected 'boy burglar' who took jewellery, watches and other valuable items worth £1,500 from a house near Chelmsford.
The thief, who is believed to be aged between 14 and 17, broke into a family home in Mashbury Road between 11am and noon on August 13.
He took two watches, jewellery, including two pairs of gold cufflinks and a gold bracelet, a box of costume jewellery, other small items and a 7inch android tablet.
Investigating officer DS Carl Oldfield said: "We believe that the break-in was carried out by a boy who clearly knew what he was doing and had obviously burgled family homes in the past.
"We know that he cycled to Mashbury Road and was in the area for about 30 minutes before getting into the house.
"We believe that he rode past several times, knocked on the front door a few times and looked through downstairs windows before going into the back garden where he broke in through the back door.
"Even then he rode away in case he had activated an alarm but he returned a few minutes later and got into the house.
"We want to hear from anyone who saw the boy in the area on August 13 or anyone who has been offered an android tablet or gold jewellery for sale in suspicious circumstances."
The boy was white, of slim build and with neatly cut dark hair with a short fringe. He was wearing a pale blue V-necked sweater over a white T-shirt, blues jeans and white trainers.
He had a grey or pale blue rucksack over his shoulders and was riding a silver or light-coloured mountain bike, believed to be a woman's cycle or a gents bike, with a low sloping crossbar.
Anyone with information should contact DS Oldfield or his team at Chelmsford CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.