A ROBBER posing as a police officer tried to wrench a necklace off a woman’s neck during a botched burglary at a Basildon home.

The man, who was wearing a police uniform and a stab vest, knocked on the woman’s home in Goldings Crescent at about 1.30am.

The 52-year-old woman answered the door and let him in, thinking nothing of it after police had been in the area in the evening.

She told the Echo: “When he came in he immediately told me he had a report that the jewellery I was wearing had been taken in a previous burglary.

“He made a grab for the locket around my neck.

“It was then when all hell broke loose. He became quite aggressive and verbally abusive.

“He punched me in the jaw.

“I just couldn’t think quick enough, I know I just wanted him to get out of the house.”

During the struggle, the mum, who did not want to be identified, tore off part of the man’s uniform.

She added: “It was very scary. I don’t know where I got the strength from to resist him but I grabbed his collar and pulled off one of the epaulettes.

“He said he was going to punch me again.”

Eventually, the robber ran out of the door empty-handed but the woman said her locket had been broken.

Police have released an efit of the man responsible in the hope that someone might recognise him.

Det Supt Kevin Baldwin, head of crime in south Essex, said the robber had a distinctive tattoo.

He said: “One of his bottom teeth was broken and going black and on his left hand he had a tattoo with either the word ‘mum’ or ‘mam’ with a star next to it.

“If you see this tattoo then call the police immediately.

“This was a very unusual set of circumstances.

“If you haven’t called an officer to an address and you weren’t expecting them, then they will carry a warrant card.

“If people are still really unsure then you can call the police to check - the officer will give you their collar number.

“Particularly relevant is the unusual time of day - officers wouldn’t normally conduct their inquiries at night.”

The incident happened on Sunday, July 31, but Essex Police have just released the information.

Anyone who recognises the man in the efit is asked to contact PC Hazel Rippingale on 101.