A 72-year-old woman disturbed a night prowler raiding her home today.

The pensioner was asleep at her house in Stanley Road, Clacton, when the burglar broke in during the early hours of the morning.

But he switched on the light when he went into her bedroom.

The woman, who was alone in the house, woke up and screamed when she saw the thief. He fled, taking the woman's purse.

Police today appealed for any witnesses who might have seen the raider at about 4.15am to come forward.

He is described as white, 5ft 8ins tall with short spiky hair and wearing a dark jacket. Police were due to interview the pensioner today.

Acting Det Supt Del Smith said today it was not yet possible to tell if this burglary was linked to others where pensioners had been targeted as they slept. In one incident, an 89-year-old man challenged a burglar raiding his home.

Harold Hurst, of Turpins Avenue, Holland-on-Sea, tried to hide his wallet but it was snatched from his hand by the burglar before he fled.

Anyone with information about any of the crimes should contact Clacton police on 01255 221312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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