POLICE are hunting for a gang of men who they believe were about to carry out a raid on a popular take away premises as staff were cashing up.

POLICE are hunting for a gang of men who they believe were about to carry out a raid on a popular take away premises as staff were cashing up.

Officers were called to Dominoes Pizza in North Station Road, Colchester in the early hours of yesterday morning by a concerned member of staff.

It is thought that he men, who were wearing hooded tops, were disturbed by police before they carried out any theft from the premises.

However, it emerged they had used a van to ram through a security gate leading to the Riverside Office Complex which gave them access to the rear entrance of the pizza chain's building.

Essex Police said yesterday they were in the early stages of the investigation into the incident which happened at about 1.40am.

A spokesman said: “It is believed to be an attempted burglary but the men were disturbed near the branch of Dominoes Pizza.

“Police were quickly on the scene but there was no trace of the men or the van.

“Enquiries are continuing,” he added.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Essex Police on 0300 3334444.