AN ELDERLY man has been left shaken and distressed after his flat was ransacked by two women as he sat in the next room.

The 88-year-old man caught thieves in the process of rummaging through his belongings, before they fled through a window, “laughing and joking” as they escaped down the street towards Lifstan Way.

The two young women were described as black and aged in their twenties or early thirties.

The break-in took place at a security coded and warden controlled complex off Southchurch Boulevard, Southend.

It is not known if they lied to access the building or if the main door was left open, or how they got into the flat.

The man’s granddaughter said: “Thankfully they left when he disturbed them and did not harm him – physically anyway.

“They ran off laughing and joking.

“The worst part is they were in his bedroom, no one other than him goes in there since my nan passed away in there.

“That’s his own place no one intrudes into.”

A female neighbour tried to chase the thieves away but could not catch up, however she did manage to pass some information to police.

The granddaughter added: “I think people who do this are absolutely the lowest to go into someone’s home, whether they are there or not, is so disrespectful.

“Crime in this area is horrendous, it seems at the moment and something has got to happen to stop it.

“We are awaiting to see if we have something with the CCTV, these women must be stopped.”

It has also been reported that residents of a complex on Baxter Avenue, Southend, claim to have received a police letter to warn of two women posing as carers to get into properties to steal.

It is not yet know if the incidents are linked.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating a burglary at an address in Southchurch Rectory Chase, Southend.

It took place at around 6pm on Wednesday, October 10.

“We received reports at 5.20pm that two women, described as being black and aged in their 30s, entered the property before carrying out a search inside.

“They left with a single-figure sum of cash.”

Residents have been urged to be aware of the reports with the crooks deliberately targeting the vulnerable.

A spokesman for the force said: “Anyone with information with asked to call Southend CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/147286/18.