A BURGLAR tried to break into a Southend home but was startled by the occupant.

He walked in through the unlocked porch door of a house in Lydford Road before forcing open the front door.

The occupant heard the noise at about midday on November 8 and must have disturbed him, as he fled empty-handed.

The homeowner got a fleeting glance of him and describes him as wearing a multicoloured, possibly chequered shirt and a black woolly hat.

Anyone who remember seeing the man running away or has any other information is asked to contact Det Con Paul Brown at the Southend Target Offenders team on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.