A ELDERLY man was tied up and threatened by masked burglars who ransacked his home.

Three masked men broke into a flat in Turner Close, Basildon, at around 11pm yesterday.

They threatened the resident, a man in his 70s, and tied him up using ties and tape before stealing his mobile phone and £300 in cash.

Dc Emma Henderson, of Basildon CID, said: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area. There are limited descriptions of the men apart from that their faces were covered so they were possibly wearing balaclavas.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Dc Henderson at Basildon CID on Essex Police 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.