A GANG of thieves is being hunted by the police after they stole from stores across south Essex.

The crooks are believed to have struck at six stores in one day and police believe they could be responsible for similar crimes in other parts of the country.

They first struck at Iceland, in Rectory Road, Benfleet, when two men tried to open a till at about 3.45pm on Monday June 14. When spotted by staff they made off empty handed. These men are both white. One was aged between 27 and 32 years with a skinhead, and the other was chubby.

At 4.10pm four men went into Iceland, London Road, Leigh and again tried to open a till, but without success. Again they were all white men, two in their early 20s and two in their late 20s.

At 5.40pm they had moved on to the Co-op, Main Road, Hawkwell and tried another till. All four men were white with two in their 20s and two in their 30s. Nothing was stolen, although they did try and take a charity box.

By 6pm they were at Somerfield, Spa Road, Hockley where three men indulged in some shoplifting and stole cosmetics, meat and cider. All three were white, with two in their late 20s and one in his early 20s.

At 7.10pm they had moved on to Westcliff where two men went into Aldi, London Road where they forced a till and stole about £60 in cash. These two men were white and aged 25 -30. A man who saw them making off told staff that they had gone towards Fairmead Avenue, where they got into a dark coloured car.

The final offence in this sequence was at 7.30pm at the Co-op, London Road, Leigh where two men went into the store. One distracted staff while the other tried to open a till. Again both men were white but this time the ages given were one 35-45 and the other 40-45 years.

Pc Carol Sartain from Leigh CID said, “It seems that the same people are responsible for all these offences although they have switched the numbers involved in each crime. I want to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of any of the stores who may have seen the men and can help me with the investigation. I particularly want to hear from the man who spoke to staff at Aldi and gave them the information about the dark coloured car.”

Anyone with information should call police at Leigh on 0300 333 4444, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.