Burglars set a family’s car alight after stealing it from the driveway.

Thieves broke into a home in Kirby Road, Basildon, overnight on Monday and took the keys to a grey Renault Megane and a grey Volkswagen Polo, as well as money, electrical items and a handbag.

They then drove the cars from the house.

On Wednesday, the couple, who live at the home with their daughter, discovered one car had been torched and dumped in a nearby street.

The couple, who did not want to be named, didn’t realise they had been burgled until the following morning, when they got up to go to work.

The mum-of-one, 38, said: “My partner told me he had been looking for his keys and wallet and couldn’t find them.

“He noticed the front door slightly open and that the cars had gone.

“They took my handbag as well, and my purse. We are very angry.

“It’s a scary feeling to know they have been in your house while we were asleep -– it sets you on edge.”

After finding the Volkswagen Polo had been set alight, she said: “As if stealing other people’s property isn’t bad enough, why do you have to set it on fire after you’ve had your fun?

“We work hard for what we have and, yes, we have insurance, but that’s not the point.

“Aside from the fact I’m going to be without a car until it’s sorted, the car was mine.”

A police spokesman said: “Police in Basildon are investigating the burglary, which happened between 10.20pm on August 24 and 6am on August 25.’’