Five shotguns have been taken during a burglary in Feering.
A house on Feering Hill was broken into be thieves who stole the legally-held weapons.
After coming across the locked gun cabinet the burglars ripped it down and attacked it with large tools to open it.
The guns stolen were an AYA double-barrel shotgun and four single-barrel shotguns.
However the ammunition for the weapons was not found.
The burglary happened between 12.45-2pm on Thursday. Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area and heard or saw anything suspicious to call them on 101.
Dc Nick Campbell said: “This has been a very distressing incident for the owner and I would urge anyone with information to phone Braintree CID.
“We are very keen to recover these firearms as a matter of priority and would ask if anyone wishes to speak to us in confidence they phone the non-emergency number on 101 and ask for extension 400125 or telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be given anonymously.”
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