Police officers searched a bus for a would-be burglar who fled after a woman disturbed him as he tried to raid her home.

The man was sent packing by the woman, believed to be in her 60s, who caught him trying to get into her property through a window and the back door.

The brave woman left her house, in Canvey Road, Canvey, in pursuit of the suspect and spotted him climbing aboard a number 27 bus at around 2.15pm yesterday.

The woman immediately alerted the emergency services and within minutes a police car was tracking the bus as it headed for the seafront.

Officers finally managed to pull the bus over in Furtherwick Road as it left Canvey seafront - yet after a thorough search, the culprit was not found.

The man is described as white and aged between 20 and 25. He was wearing a blue bobble hat, blue jumper and was carrying a sportsbag.

Anyone who thinks they can help police with their inquiries should call the island's police station on 01268 511212.

Published Tuesday, January 28, 2003

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