POLICE have appealed for help from the public after recovering a van stolen from Tilbury.

The stolen vehicle was found within two hours of Essex Police receiving a call reporting its theft as part of a burglary on Newton Road.

The alert was raised at around 3.50am on Wednesday, 19 April when it was reported a suspect had entered a home through a kitchen window, taking keys before stealing a van from outside the property. 

Following information received, the van was traced to a road in Basildon shortly after 5am. The suspects had made off from the scene, leaving the vehicle behind.

The unattended vehicle was recovered for forensic examination and the police investigation continues.

A statement from the force says: "We need anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or doorbell footage of it to get in touch.

"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.

"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.

"Please quote reference number 42/70701/23."