Police are appealing for information about a robbery in which a man armed with a hammer stole cash from a shop.

The suspect went into a pawnbrokers in Market Pavement, Basildon, at about 4.15pm on Friday, December 7 and demanded cash. He stole a thousands of pounds from a till and left the scene on a bicycle.

Enquiries are ongoing to locate the suspect.

His face was covered and he wore a light coloured hoody and jogging bottoms.

Anyone who saw a man matching this description at the time of the incident or has any information about who is responsible is asked to call PC Danielle Hutton at Basildon CID on 101 quoting reference 42/179199/18.

Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org