DETECTIVES are hunting two bogus policemen who assaulted a pensioner who disturbed them when they broke into his Essex home.

James Hore

DETECTIVES are hunting two bogus policemen who assaulted a pensioner who disturbed them when they broke into his Essex home.

The pair broke into the man's house by forcing open a downstairs window, but he woke up and asked them what was happening.

They told the man that they were police officers investigating why he had a smashed window.

But when the pensioner asked for identification, one of the men grabbed him by the wrist and threw him onto a sofa before they carried out a search of the house in Baddow Hall Crescent, Chelmsford.

The men escaped empty handed, leaving the pensioner shaken and suffering from minor bruising to his arm.

Police are appealing for help tracking the men following the incident at about 10.30pm on Friday.

Det con Gill Anderson said: “This was a despicable crime on an elderly man who lives alone.

“I would appeal to anyone who had any information about who these callous criminals are to contact me as soon as possible.”

The first man was white, aged about 20, 5ft 10ins, of a slight build and had short dark hair.

He had a thin face and was clean shaven, wearing a blue denim jacket, blue jeans and grey gardening-style gloves.

His accomplice was also white, about 24, and 6ft with short dark hair, clean shaven and was also of slight build. He was wearing a black zip-up jacket, blue jeans and grey gardening gloves.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: “We would like to remind people to make sure their property is secure when they go to bed, locking windows and doors.

“Police officers always carry identification and rarely call without first having made an appointment with a victim of crime.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call detectives in Chelmsford on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.