ESSEX Police is investigating an incident in Harlow during which a 78-year-old woman was threatened.

We were alerted to the incident shortly before 1.45am this morning, Sunday 14 December.

A man had entered the woman’s home, in Radburn Close, demanding money and bank cards and threatened her with a knife.

Thankfully, the woman was not harmed, and steps were taken to alert the police.

The suspect did leave with some cash and bank cards. The cards have already been cancelled.

Whilst the victim was not harmed she is understandably extremely shaken by her experience and is being supported by family and our specialist officers.

At this stage, no arrests have been made and we’re exploring some very targeted lines of enquiry.

The man responsible is white, about 5ft 9ins tall and was wearing a blue hat.

Detective Inspector Paul Marks said: “Our teams are working through the information available us extremely quickly and we’re exploring some very targeted lines of enquiry.

“This is, of course, a very concerning and distressing incident. Thankfully, she has not come to any serious harm but is extremely shaken.

“I can assure the public we are doing everything we can and using every tool at our disposal to find the person responsible.

“As part of that work, I want to reach out to Radburn Close and the surrounding area, including The Rundells, to please check their CCTV between 1.15am and 1.45am this morning.

“I would also ask if anyone with dashcam of the area at that time, such as taxi drivers, to please check their footage for anyone acting suspiciously in the area.

“I know people will be busy with Christmas preparations but the information you may have could be vital so, please, get in contact with us.”

You can submit information via our online reporting service at https://www.essex.police.uk, use our Live Chat, or call 101 quoting incident 146 of 14 December.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.