Thousands of pounds worth of jewellery has been stolen from a property up for sale in Braintree after a viewing earlier that day.

The owner of the Coggeshall Road property noticed that jewellery and watches worth about £7,000 had been taken from her bedroom after a woman viewed the property twice that day.

Pc Sarah Robinson, the officer investigating the case, said: “The woman viewing the property gave a false name and address. She was reluctant to provide the estate agents with her details and may have given them a false telephone number.”

The suspect is described as white, in her 30s and had dark brown hair worn in a ponytail.

Pc Robinson added: “I would like to urge anyone who is selling their home to follow this crime prevention advice. Always accompany potential buyers throughout a viewing, following them into each room and never allow them or their partners to wander off on their own to other parts of the property.”

Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact Pc Robinson on Essex Police 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.