The police helicopter helped to search for a man suspected of stealing a lawnmower.

Officers were called just after 10.30pm last night after a man was seen pushing the lawnmower, which was believed to have been stolen from a nearby property, down Highfields Road in Witham.

The man ran off leaving the lawnmower in the road, and it is now being forensically examined.

The helicopter, which was returning from a missing man search in Harlow, was sent to help officers but to no avail.

The suspect is described as white, in his 30s, about six foot tall, and was wearing a blue t-shirt, white shorts and trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to police on 101.