TEENAGERS are believed to be behind the theft of almost £6,000 of jewellery and electricals from a home.

Police believe the resident may have returned just as the thieves were leaving the house on Snakes Lane, Southend, with a £1,400 Apple MacBook Air, £250 Bose Soundlink Mini, £700 Nikon digital SLR camera, £150 Apple iPhone 4S and £3,300 worth of jewellery.

Among the jewellery stolen were yellow and white gold necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets.

The theft occurred on February 28 between 6.30pm and 6.50pm, when the householder returned to hear up to three male voices in an alleyway to the rear of the house and one of the suspects was seen riding off on a black mountain bike.

He is described as being aged 14 to 18 and was wearing a black hooded jacket.

Anyone with information which could assist the police in their enquiry is asked to call Det Con Andy Copley at Southend CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.