Police are investigating an attempted theft of money from Barclays bank in Braintree.

A man entered the branch in Bank Street shortly before 1.35pm today, Saturday October 3 and passed a note to the cashier demanding money.

None was handed over and he left.

Officers carried out a search of the area and are continuing enquiries to locate the suspect.

He was described as white, between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 9ins tall, and of very slim build.

He had short dark hair, wore a dark scarf covering the lower part of his face, sunglasses, a hooded light grey or creamy white jacket, light blue jeans, white trainers and a white baseball cap.

DI Jim White said: "After leaving the bank, the suspect is believed to have walked towards The White Hart pub, and into Bocking End.

"I would appeal for anyone who saw a man fitting the description either before or after leaving the bank to contact us.

"There was a similar incident at Lloyds Bank in Bank Street, Braintree, shortly before 9.15am last Saturday, September 26 and one of our lines of enquiry is to investigate if it is linked.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Dc Mike Pannell at Braintree CID on 101.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org