A GRANDMOTHER was scared to return home after suffering one of a rising number of burglaries in Colchester.

Crooks smashed through the rear patio door of her home, in Broadlands Way, off Ipswich Road, before stealing her house and car keys.

She said: “I could not believe it. “They made a mess everywhere.

“I was away and when I heard I did not want to come back to the home I have lived in for 32 years.”

TIt took place between 2.30pm and 5pm on Monday, March 30.

There have been a spate of burglaries in and around the Ipswich Road area..

Three homes had outbuildings burgled in Ipswich Road overnight between Monday, April 6 and Tuesday.

On Tuesday homes in Cromwell Road and Smythies Avenue were also targeted as was the Royal British Legion Club in Barfield Road, West Mersea, was burgled.

At about 3pm on Wednesday a home in Seaview Avenue was burgled.

Anyone with information call 101.