A boy is wanted by police after jewellery worth more than £1,500 was stolen in a house raid.

The thief, believed to be aged between 14 and 17 according to Essex police, broke in to a family home in Mashbury Road, Chignall St James near Chelmsford between 11am and noon on Tuesday, August 13.

Two watches, jewellery including two pairs of gold cufflinks and a gold bracelet, a box of costume jewellery and other small items were stolen.

A 7in Android tablet was also pinched.

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, 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 womans cycle or a gents bike, with a low sloping crossbar.

Witnesses or people with information relating to this incident are sought.

Call police on 101.