Three men are due to appear in court following a police investigation into a burglary.

A dog unit and a police helicopter were called to an address in Southminster on Friday.

The suspects allegedly used an imitation firearm to threaten the occupants of a property in Kings Croft while cash was stolen.

They were arrested in Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood at around 1.30pm.

Ricky Cox, 22, of Stuart Close, Pilgrims Hatch, James Hyde, 22, of Lancaster Close, Pilgrims Hatch, and Pio Evans, 23, of Woodland Avenue, Hutton, have been charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary are to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court today.

Anybody with any information is asked to call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.