A WOMAN was threatened and tied up in her own home by masked raiders.

The victim, aged in her twenties, was watching television in her flat in St Clare Meadow, Rochford, waiting for her boyfriend to come home when two men burst in.

She was assaulted then tied to a chair while the two men searched and ransacked rooms. They suddenly left without taking anything, after apparently being disturbed.

Investigating officer DC Andy Copley said: "This was a nasty attack on a young woman who was badly shaken up.”

The men were white, in their late twenties or early thirties and both of stocky build. They were wearing dark-coloured hoodies and had dark-coloured scarves around their faces.

One was about 6ft 2in tall and was possibly bald. The second man was said to be slightly tanned.

Anyone with information about the incident, which happened at about 12.30am on Sunday, should contact DC Copley or his colleagues at Southend CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.