A CANCER patient was woken by two would-be thieves trying to break into her home.

Mary Snazell, 42, was woken in the early hours of Monday, by two burglars trying to get in to her home in Frettons, Basildon.

The attempted burglary is one of a number of burglaries being probed by Essex Police this week.

Ms Snazell said: “I have cancer and cannot make the stairs, so I sleep in the dining room.

“Everyone else was asleep when suddenly my dining room lit up like someone had turned the light on.

“There was someone in the garden with a torch trying to get in.

“I shouted to my teenage sons, who ran downstairs, unlocked the back door and looked round the garden, but whoever it was had gone.

“Thankfully all of our windows and doors were locked, but it was very scary.

“We were burgled four times when we lived on Craylands. It is worrying to think now someone is targeting this area. have told my husband I want to move.”

Police are also investigating a spate of burglaries in Wickford between Tuesday and Friday.

Thieves broke into a house in Cedar Avenue, Wickford, between October 21 and 28 by forcing the garage door.

They stole tools and fishing equipment and caused £150 damage.

Burglars broke into a property in Laurel Avenue, Wickford, at 7.45pm on October 28.

They got in by climbing on a flat roof extension and forcing a first floor window. They were disturbed by the occupants of the house and made off.

Raiders targeted a house in Elder Avenue, Wickford, between 6.30am and 4.30pm, on October 30.

They got into the house by smashing a window and then put the security chain on the front door.

They ransacked the house, but the occupants are not yet sure what has been taken. Damage caused to the house will cost £1,200 to repair.

Burglars broke into a house in Riverside Walk, Wickford, by forcing a window.

There was a messy search of the house and the thieves took car keys and then stole an Audi A5 Quattro from the drive worth £25,000.

The burglary happened while the owner of the house was on holiday.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents should contact Basildon police on 101, or leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers.