A woman who had her handbag stolen from her living room - at midnight - is warning people to be on their guard.

Linda King, 50, from Raphaels in Basildon, popped upstairs for a few minutes but that was enough time for a thief to sneak in through the open patio doors.

She said: "The lights were on and the back door was open because it was warm. Because I was up I didn't think it was a problem.

"He stole my bag, with my passports and about £90. I just saw him running away."

Published Wednesday, August 6, 2003

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