A YOUNG woman was terrified after waking up to find a masked burglar at the end of her bed.

Lauren Fox, 23, of Holgate, Felmores, was taking an afternoon nap when the intruder broke in and started rifling through the drawers.

Neighbours believe the burglar may have targeted the street as it has a lot of sheltered accommodation for elderly and vulnerable residents.

Miss Fox said: “It was very traumatising. I haven’t slept on my own in the house since.

“I have all the windows and doors locked and all the curtains drawn.

“It has been difficult to sleep since. I jump at every noise.”

The burglar broke in through the back door of the terraced bungalow at about 5.30pm last Wednesday and began ransacking Lauren’s bedroom, where she lay asleep, by torchlight.

The intruder, who was about 5ft 4ins tall, wearing dark clothing with a hooded top and had all but his eyes covered by a scarf or balaclava, fled empty-handed through the back door after Lauren screamed.

He had walked past several high value items, including a television in the living room and Lauren’s purse on the kitchen table.

Lauren heard a sound as the intruder broke in, but thought nothing of it and went back to sleep. She thought the burglar was her boyfriend, Adam Lamb, until she saw the torch and then the man’s masked face.

Mr Lamb, 26, of South Woodham Ferrers, said: “The lady across the road said someone knocked at her door the prior evening.

“When she went to the door, no one was there.”

Miss Fox said: “Maybe he was just a chancer. It’s kind of disgusting because around here it’s mostly older people. I think he was targeting them.”

A 56-year-old neighbour in sheltered accommodation, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s not the usual thing that goes on here. You get a lot of youngsters running around because there is a cut-through at the top.

“I’ve been living here for a year and it’s very quiet.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.