A PENSIONER whose home was burgled TWICE in just three months has spoken of her ordeal, as Redbridge's break-in rate continues to soar.

Hilda Leigh, of Wanstead, lost hundred of pounds in cash and priceless jewellery when thieves hit her home back in May.

And last week she was targeted again by a pair of thieves burst into her home when she answered the door to them.

She told the Guardian: "They just walked right in. One of them held onto me while the other went into my house. It was very scary.

“I've lived her for 21 years and never had any trouble until now. It makes me want to move.”

The pair eventually left empty-handed, but the ordeal left Ms Leigh, who is in her 70s, badly shaken. The raid happened as the Metropolitan police released new figures which show that burglaries have risen by 18 per cent in the borough over the last year.

In total, there have been an average of 14.6 burglaries per 1,000 of the population in Redbridge over the past 12 months with Wanstead and Woodford bearing much of the brunt.

Snaresbrook ward saw a rise of 40 per cent, with a whopping 44 per cent increase in Monkhams. And in Clayhall and Barkingside break-ins are up by nearly 50 per cent.

But while rates are rising here, some areas in the south of the borough have actually seen a fall. Raids dropped by ten per cent in Valentines ward, and by 11 per cent in Clementswood.

Despite the rise, Redbridge Police say they are doing everything they can to combat the problem. Officers point to last week’s 'Operation Ice Pick 2', during which police arrested 23 suspected burglars in the borough.

A police spokeswoman said: "The operation was just one of the tactical options that we are using to combat residential burglaries, in particular night time burglaries."

Redbridge Council and the police have previously attributed the borough's rising crime rates partly to the country's worsening economy.

• Have you been a victim of a burglary in Redbridge? Do you think enough is being done to combat it? Contact reporter Daniel Binns via email at dbinns@london.newsquest.co.uk or by calling 0779 547 6625.