A PLEA for witnesses has been made after a stolen van was found burnt out in a field.

Essex Police were called to a field next to the A120 on Thursday morning after reports the van had been set alight.

Police found the remains of the burnt out vehicle.

The fire had already been extinguished.

The remains were located in Cuthedge Lane, between Coggeshall and Bradwell.

Investigations have led police to believe the van was stolen from an address in Kelvedon the previous day.

The vehicle fire did not spread to any surrounding land and whilst the van was completely destroyed, there was minimal fire damage to the field.

Essex Police’s Gypsy, Traveller and Rural Engagement team posted on Twitter: “This stolen vehicle from the Colchester area last night was found burnt out in the Coggeshall/Bradwell area of the A120 on Thursday morning.

“Any sightings of this vehicle or any other travelling in convey with this vehicle prior to it being burnt out please advise."

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We were called at 11.15am on Thursday with reports a van had been found burnt out in Cuthedge Lane, Bradwell.

"It had been reported stolen from Station Road, Kelvedon, sometime between 4pm and 8.30pm the previous day."

Anyone with information should contact 101 quoting reference 42/136167/18 or report online at www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website on crimestoppers-uk.org.