A 20-YEAR-old woman who came face to face with a burglar was left with a leg injury as she fought to get him out of her family home.

Police have issued a belated appeal for witnesses following the incident at the house on Grange Park, Prescot Road at around 2pm on Wednesday, February 25. The young woman called police saying a man with his face covered managed to get into the property.

Following a brief struggle he ran off empty handed.

Detective Inspector Martin Earl from the burglary and robbery team at St Helens CID said: “The victim showed real bravery during her efforts to get the burglar out of her family home and suffered an injury to her leg during the incident which needed some treatment.

"At this stage, we believe that the offender was an opportunistic burglar who had managed to find a door which was insecure. He was dressed in a grey hooded top, grey tracksuit bottoms and gloves and spoke with a local accent.

"He may have left the scene in a hurry so someone either walking or driving along Prescot Road on the last Wednesday in February may remember seeing someone looking out of breath or flustered. If you did, I would urge you to get in touch with us."

Detective Inspector Earl added: "Incidents such as this are very rare in St Helens and I would like to reassure local people in Grange Park that we are doing everything we can to catch this man. I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the incident, or has information which could help us, then please share that either with the police or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

“In the meantime, everyone can play a part in keeping their homes and possessions safe by keeping their doors and windows locked, even if they are only going out for a few moments, and by using all their home’s security features such as door chains, alarms and deadlocks.”

Call St Helens CID on 0151 777 6061 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.