BURGLARS smashed their way into a house in Colchester and stole a laptop computer.

The raiders used a chisel to force open a kitchen window and searched the property in Queen Elizabeth Way, Blackheath.

A Samsung R510 computer and tobacco were taken during the raid on Thursday between 2pm and 5.30pm.

The incident comes following a spate of burglaries in the Blackheath, Rowhedge and New Town areas of the town.

Det Sgt Kev Hughes, of Colchester CID, urged residents to think about home security, keep an eye open for their neighbours and report any suspicious behaviour to police.

Anyone with information about the incident can call Colchester police on 0300 333 4444.