POLICE have issued an appeal for information after a gang wearing hoodies and carrying crowbars were spotted in Aveley.

The incident happened on Friday, 20 December when residents raised the alert as members of the hand tried to break their way into buildings.

Police, including handlers with dogs arrived but the criminals had fled the scene.

A statement from the police says: "We were called at 3.25pm on Friday 20 December with reported a group of men were acting suspiciously in Davis Road, Aveley.

"They were reported to be attempting to break into garages.

"Officers carried out a search of the area.

"Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident 955 of Friday's date."