Colchester residents are being warned to lock up after strangers were found creeping around gardens.

In one case, the owner of a house in Mill Road, Mile End, found three white men about to go in through the back door at about 1.30pm on Wednesday.

One was 6ft tall with a heavy build, dark brown collar-length hair and was wearing a T-shirt.

Another was in his mid-30s, 6ft tall with a medium or heavy build, had short, dark brown hair and was wearing a T-shirt and short-sleeved coat.

The third was about 5ft 10ins tall with a heavy build and dark brown hair.

Then at about 6.25pm the same day, in Shakespeare Road, Lexden, a man fled after being discovered in a back garden.

He was white, in his late-40s with a brown beard. He was wearing blue jeans and a blue top.

Anyone with information about the sightings should call police on 01206 762212, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Published Monday August 2, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette