POLICE want to speak to a man who was bumped into by a would-be burglar as he was chased after trying to break into a house in Bury Lane, Epping, yesterday.

The man was with two young children walking along the alleyway between Bury Lane and Tower Road when he saw the man running towards him at about 1.20pm. It is thought that he may know the man who continued to run off after colliding with the passer-by.

The occupant of the house disturbed the would-be intruder when he heard noises at his back door. He ran after the man but failed to catch him.

The would-be burglar was of thin build and wearing a black baseball cap and dark jacket.

Anyone with any information should ring crime reduction officer Tony Ellis at Epping Police Station on 01279 625525 or PC Lee Nelson, at Waltham Abbey CID, 01992 652800.