One victim was targeted twice when three homes were burgled in mid-Essex this week.

A patio door was smashed at a house in Highfields, Witham, between 1-4pm yesterday but nothing was stolen.

Burglars returned at 5.30am this morning, removing a wooden board covering the door and disturbing items and stealing a flat-screen television from a victim aged in her 80s.

A break-in also took place in Boydin Close in the town between 3.30-7pm yesterday with nothing stolen. It is believed burglars entered through a front door and left via a back patio door and through the garden into a nearby alleyway.

A jewellery box was taken from a home in Braxted Park Road, Great Braxted, between 6am on Tuesday and 7pm yesterday.

Detectives do not yet know if the burglaries are linked but have not ruled it out.

Detective sergeant Becky Young, of Braintree CID, said: “To be burgled just once is harrowing enough, so for one of the victims to be targeted twice has been very distressing for her and we are determined to catch those responsible.”

Anyone with information should call Braintree CID on 101.