POLICE were called after reports of youths trying to break into a Colchester library on Tuesday night.

A concerned resident called the police after seeing a group of noisy youngsters near Greenstead Library, in Hawthorne Avenue, at around 6.30pm.

Residents said the youths were "loudly and aggressively" trying to gain entry to the library's side entrance and climbing on the roof.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We were called to reports of antisocial behaviour outside Greenstead Library in Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, at around 6.30pm yesterday evening (Tuesday, June 25).

"We were told that a number of young people were at the location.

"Officers were quickly at the scene, but no suspects were there and there were no signs of forced entry or damage to the library.

"We’re grateful to the public for reporting this incident to us. We are committed to tackling antisocial behaviour and will continue to work with partners in the district to make sure we’re responding to any issues when they arrive."