A man has received serious injuries after being assaulted by a burglar who broke into his home during the night.

Officers are appealing for information after the victim was assaulted in his home in Waddesdon Road, in Dovercourt.

Essex Police were called to reports that a man was trying to gain entry to the victim's property at around 1.45am on Sunday, October 20.

The victim then confronted the man who was breaking into his home and was assaulted before the thief fled the scene on foot.

The man is described as being white, around 5ft 9ins tall, with black hair and dark stubble. He was of an athletic build and wore a dark, zipped up hooded jumper.

Bernard Jenkin, the conservative MP for Harwich and north Essex, said he is "shocked and appalled" by the violent attack and is extremely concerned by the rise in violent crime in the area.

He said: "There is an undeniable rise in serious and violent crime in the district, but this is not concentrated in Dovercourt.

"Since April we have introduced a sergeant, six police constables and two PCSOs in addition to the local policing team, increasing our capability to patrol the district.

"The public must be reassured that the chance of being a victim of violent crime is very low."

Charlie Powell, one of the labour town councillors for the Harwich & Kingsway Ward, says Dovercourt is still "one of the safest places to live".

He said: "Every incident is one too many, and the town council is doing all we can to patrol these crime hotpsots such as near the skate park."

He added: "Some elderly people in that area don't even feel safe in their own homes. We are doing all we can to make it a safer place to live."

Police are appealing for information about this incident and are asking anyone who knows anything to call them on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/167079/19.

If you'd prefer to remain anonymous you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or submit anonymous information via their website.