Members of the public could be eligible for a reward of up to £1,000 if they have information on an aggravated burglary in Southend. [8 May 2012]

The reward is available from the independent charity Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and charge of the individual responsible for the incident on Wednesday 21 March 2012.

At approximately 2.30pm a man, wearing a balaclava, entered the house via an unlocked back door. He then pushed the 79 year old victim onto the sofa, threatened her then ran off with her handbag.

The burglar is described as white, of a skinny build and believed to be around 5ft 7ins tall.

Crimestoppers, which allows people to give information 100% anonymously on the 24/7 number 0800 555 111 and via a secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org, is urging members of the public to come forward with information to help catch those responsible.

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers said: “This incident must have been extremely traumatic for the elderly woman involved. Burglary does not just rob you of your possessions but robs you of the right to feel secure in your own home. To be attacked in your own home is unthinkable. Please come forward to the independent charity Crimestoppers so this brazen attacker who operated in broad daylight can be brought to justice. We do not ask for your name and no call is traced or recorded. You won’t have to give a statement, speak to the police or go to court – we only want to know what you know, not who you are. In the 24 years that Crimestoppers has been running we have never broken our anonymity promise.”

She added “Did someone you know display unusual behaviour that day? Has someone confessed to being involved? Perhaps you witnessed the event or saw suspicious activity in the area that day? Crimestoppers wants to receive any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem”.

Only information given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 that leads to an arrest and charge is eligible for the reward. Information can be given online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org but information will not be eligible for a reward this way. This appeal is part of a wider Crimestoppers campaign which has seen a recent crack down on burglary and handling stolen goods in Southend.

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For further information please contact Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers on 07825445720 or ann.scott@crimestoppers-uk.org