AN elderly woman woke to find a stranger in her house who then cut off her phone and took cash from her purse.

The burglary took place in the early hours of Thursday, September 20, on Wear Road, in Stanley.

The victim, who had been asleep downstairs, was woken by a stranger who had entered through an unlocked back door. The intruder claimed to be collecting rent, having been given a key by the victim’s son.

He then proceeded to disconnect the phone and care connect line and stole £100 from the woman's purse before leaving.

Acting Detective Sergeant Jenna Cook, of Stanley CID, said: “This is a shocking intrusion of an elderly person’s home, and has left the victim understandably shaken.

"I’d urge anyone with any relevant information to get in touch with us as soon as possible, so that we can bring the perpetrator to justice and help the victim to feel safe in her own home again.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact A/DS Cook on 101, quoting incident number 65 of September 20.