POLICE officers investigating an aggravated burglary that occurred in South Ockendon, are asking for witnesses to come forward to help their investigation.

Shortly after 6.35am on Wednesday, 21 June a burglary took place at a property in Aire Drive when two people forced their way into the address and assaulted a resident.

One of the suspects has been described to police as as a white, 5ft 10ins, of stocky build with short blonde hair and stubble. He was wearing a black tracksuit with short sleeved top.

He is described as having a tattoo of boxing clothes on right bicep and he was carrying a large knife.

Detective Natalie Roberts, who leads the investigation, said: "As part of our investigation, we have identified two people who were in the area just before the burglary, who may have vital information for us.

"We want to identify those two potential witnesses and would ask them to come forward.

"The first is a white woman runner who was in the Bonney Gate Park or wood area in Daiglen Drive at around 6am that day.

"We believe a man approached her before she ran off. We believe that there may have been three men in total.

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"We're also trying to locate a man who was walking a dog, believed to be a poodle breed.

"It may be that they have information that will help us to identify the two suspects who we believe were in the vicinity earlier and may have been seen by this man and woman."

One man has already been charged in connection with the incident.

Aaron Keenan, 26, of Stifford Clays Road, North Stifford, has been charged with possession of a offensive weapon in a public place, aggravated burglary, and threatening a person with a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place.

He's been remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on 21 July.

Police added: 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 where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

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"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Please quote crime reference 42/110689/23 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.