Police say someone could have been killed after a giant sea shell was thrown through the window of a house early yesterday.

The homeowner was left in shock after the vandalism at around 3am which happened at Box Mill Lane, Halstead.

Sgt Bernie Thomsett, of Halstead police, said the shell weighed around 4lbs.

He said: "If someone had been standing behind the window they would certainly have been seriously injured if not killed. The damage happened in the early hours of the morning when the man was in bed."

"He was obviously shaken. Being woken up in the middle of the night is not a pleasant thing to happen.

"It is a very hefty shell coloured white probably weighing about 4lbs. It could be some kind of garden ornament.

He added: "It is a very unusual incident."

Sgt Thomsett said police were urgently appealing for any information.

He said: "It could be that someone has had an ornament taken from their garden or they witnessed something."

Anyone with any information should contact Halstead Police on 01787 472451 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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