Thieves raid 74-year-old's home

Three thieves wearing balaclavas held a 74-year-old woman captive in her home before stealing a diamond-studded gold bracelet, police said.

The men struck in Rochford, Essex, when the woman was putting out an empty milk bottle on Saturday night.

One man clamped his hand over the woman's mouth while the other two ransacked her home, stealing the bracelet and a quantity of cash.

The woman did not need medical treatment, police said.

'Unscrupulous men'

The incident happened at about 1900 GMT at a house near the perimeter fence of Southend Airport. Witnesses are being sought by Essex Police.

Det Con Paul Alabaster said: "It's shocking to think these men could be so unscrupulous to target such a frail woman in her own home.

"This woman's world has been turned upside down for a few hundred pounds. When you consider the woman's age it could have been a lot worse."