A WOMAN aged 101 scared off burglars who kicked her door down.

The crooks got past the intercom at a Basildon block of flats to knock down the victim’s front door.

However, they were clearly shocked when they saw the elderly woman inside and fled empty-handed.

One of the burglars is believed to be in his sixties and had completely grey hair. The other looked 20 years younger.

A neighbour who lives in the block, and asked not to be named, said: “I heard a loud noise that sounded like a door being slammed at about 8.30pm. I commented to my son, but thought no more of it.

“I don’t understand how someone’s got past the intercom. T that’s what’s really bothering me.”

Detectives want to speak to anyone who heard anything suspicious at the block in Leigh Chapel North at 8.30pm on Tuesday.

Det Sgt Pete McCormack, of the Basildon CID target team, said: “This was understandably very frightening. Our elderly members of society deserve respect, and don’t deserve to go through something as traumatic as this.

“If you know anything at all that could help us with our investigation, then I urge you to contact us.”

The first burglar was a white man, in his sixties, grey hair and wore a beige jacket.

The second burglar was also a white man, in his forties, with dark hair and was wearing a beige jacket.

Anyone with any information can call the Basildon CID target team on 0300 3334444.