A MITCHELDEAN pensioner says she no longer feels safe in her home after her handbag was stolen just 18 inches away from where she was asleep.

Glenda Ward-Watton, aged 63, of Old Dean Road, had dozed off on the sofa when she woke to find what she thought was a person in her house. Inside her handbag were £20 cash, bank cards, driving licence and passport.

She said: "I was in the lounge on Saturday, July 4 and as it was hot I left my patio doors open. My son Pete, who was visiting for the weekend, was upstairs and around 11.15pm I fell asleep. I woke an hour later to see what I thought was a person – but I couldn't be sure so locked up and went to bed.

"It was only in the morning that I went to get my phone charger out of my handbag I realised my bag was missing. My son is autistic and became very distressed that somebody had potentially stolen it.

"My handbag was literally just 18 inches away from where I was asleep – it's so frightening. The thief had even stolen my tobacco from the kitchen side which I had bought for me from a friend's holiday.

"I live alone and should feel safe in my own home but sadly I no longer do. If anyone has any idea who did this I would ask them to contact the police on 101 quoting incident number 154."

Gloucestershire Police are warning people to take extra care to secure their homes during the warm summer months.

The temptation to leave windows and doors open during warm weather makes it easier for opportunist burglars to enter undisturbed.

Police harm reduction advisor, Kim Mowday said: "It's vital residents make a point of securing their homes, shutting all windows and locking all doors when away from the house, out in the garden or even upstairs, and especially during night-time hours.

"People must remember to lock or at least half-lock windows so they aren't accessible, and consider leaving lights on when out, at the rear of the house or upstairs."