A terrified 97-year-old woman was confronted by a burglar during a night time raid on her home, police said.
The pensioner, from Broomfields Place, in Pitsea awoke in the early hours to find the intruder rummaging around in her lounge.
The frail woman had a brief exchange with the man, who may not have been wearing trousers, before he ran off without taking any valuables.
Although clearly distressed the woman was uninjured and she managed to alert police who arrived quickly at her home.
The pensioner is being comforted by relatives, and specially trained trauma staff are understood to be carrying out further interviews in an effort to piece together an exact timeline for the incident.
An early description of the man suggests he is black and was wearing a black hat and dark clothing.
The burglary took place on Thursday morning and anyone who saw someone acting suspiciously in the Pitsea or Chalvedon area is asked to contact Basildon police on 01268 532212 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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