An elderly woman had a wallet including credit cards and £35 in cash stolen after falling victim to a distraction theft.

The 89-year-old was distracted at the Farleigh Hospice shop in Newland Street, Witham, last Monday, February 17.

Police believe the theft was carried out by two men and one woman, aged between 21 and 40.

A passport and a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses worth £100 were taken from an unlocked car in Braintree.

The items were removed from a Honda Civic in Station Approach between 8pm and 8.30pm last Wednesday, February 19. 

An insecure black Vauxhall Zafira was also entered at 8.30pm on the same night.

Police believed the two incidents are linked.

Intruders smashed a window to enter a property, but did not steal any items.

The break-in took place in Cressing Road, Braintree, between 10.30pm last Wednesday, February 19, and 9am the next morning.

A bracelet worth £100 was stolen after burglars forced open the front door of a home.

The jewellery was taken from Mulberry Gardens, Witham, between 4pm and 10.40pm last Friday. February 21.

Burglars stole two watches after breaking into a home by forcing a patio door open.

The break-in took place between 4pm and 9.30pm on Sunday at a property in Witham Road, Cressing.

The watches have a combined value of £2,250.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Braintree police station on 101.