AN elderly woman was burgled on Christmas Eve by a man pretending to be a window cleaner.

The suspect let himself into the pensioner's home on Mary Jacques Court in Longlands, Middlesbrough at around 6.40pm.

Once inside, the man stole a handbag containing a purse with a small amount of cash inside and house keys from the property before being challenged by a neighbour and fleeing the address in the direction of Marton Road.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Waterfield, from Middlesbrough Volume Crime Team, said: “Burglary is a very personal crime and is a traumatic ordeal for any victim to have to go through, so it is important that people do all they can to help prevent them from happening.

“Members of the public should always be vigilant about security and should keep doors and windows locked, even when at home, to help prevent opportunist thieves or burglars gaining access through insecure means.”

The suspect is described as a white male, aged in his mid-twenties, around 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build with short, fair hair which was longer on the top. He was wearing a dark blue sports style jacket which was zipped up and dark jeans.

Anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspect is asked to contact PC Kate Brodie on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org