POLICE are warning people in Westcliff to be vigilant after a thief followed a woman home from her local post office and stole cash from her on her doorstep.

The 87-year-old woman visited the post office in Hamlet Court Road and was stalked by the thief as she returned to her home in Holland Road.

As she put her shopping bags and handbag down to unlock the front door, the thief rifled through her bag and stole cash.

The man ran off and the shocked women found two £20 notes were missing.

One of her neighbours, Trevor Bell, said: “It’s disgusting. She was mugged for her money on her own doorstep. She is 87 and the thief followed her right from the post office.

“It is so very sad this should happen to anyone, let alone such a lovely lady.

“This comes at a time when there is such a reduction in police officers in the neighbourhood.”

Milton ward Labour councillor Julian Ware-Lane said: “This is a terrible crime and my sympathies go to the lady involved. It’s shocking and I hope the perpetrator is caught.

“I have campaigned against police cuts and think they’re wrong.

“However, the police do an excellent job under difficult circumstances and have a number of conflicting priorities to deal with. Even if we had officers on every corner, crime would not go away.”

A police spokesman responded: “We will always ensure officers are available to respond to incidents 24 hours a day.”

The thief was Asian, aged between 21 and 40, with a side parting in his hair.

He was wearing a leather jacket, a shirt and trousers.

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, just before 4.30pm on Friday, or saw a man of this description in the area.

The spokesman said: “If you have any information, call Essex Police on 101. We would advise people to be wary of leaving bags unattended, even for a minute, especially if they contain cash, purses or wallets which can be easily removed.”

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General of Age UK said, “It is extremely disturbing that some of these crimes appear to be deliberately directed against frail and vulnerable older people.

“However, reassuringly, statistics show, overall, crime against older people is less likely than other age groups.”