Thieves broke into a jeweller’s shop in north-east Essex by knocking through the wall of an adjoining building.

Police believe the suspects may have spent two nights working on the wall to enter the Aquarius Shop in Walton-on-the-Naze after breaking into a garage next door.

They stole a large safe, rings and watches valued at a five-figure sum.

Detective Constable Andy Dodd: “We believe that at least four men were involved in this burglary and that they might have worked over the course of two nights to break into the garage, then break through the wall.

“We have received information that ‘building noise’ could be heard overnight in the town centre.

“We also believe that a small dark car and a large white van were used by the thieves.

“The large van would have been used to take away the safe and would have been very low on its rear springs.”

The vehicles used might have been seen in the Mill Lane car park area of the town.

Anyone with information should contact Clacton CID on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.