Police have issued a warning to the public after burglars broke into a Basildon school and stole potentially-dangerous chemicals.

An Essex Police spokesman said 25 litres of sodium hypochlorite had been stolen from Elmbrook School's swimming pool plant room.

Police have warned the chemical is corrosive and can produce a toxic gas if mixed with acid. It can cause skin burns and eye damage should people come into direct contact with it.

The black plastic container containing the sodium was stolen from the Church Road school during the Christmas holidays.

Police have appealed to the public for information in the hope of tracing the missing chemicals as quickly as possible.

They have warned the public not to open or try to move the container, and said if the substance did come into contact with skin, to wash the affected area with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, and to seek medical advice.

Anyone with information about the missing chemical should contact police at Basildon on 01268 532212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 .

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