A MAN managed to foil burglars via webcam whilst thousands of miles away.

On March 30 thieves smashed smashed the window of a house in Lawton Road, Loughton, at between 4pm and 5.30pm and gained entry.

Minutes earlier the homeowners, a husband and wife, had been talking via webcam and the wife had left the house for a moment to see her son, leaving the internet connection on.

The man, who was in Turkey at the time, saw one of the burglars standing in his hall and shouted “Get out of my house. I am calling the police,” and they fled.

Officers arrived as the woman returned and found that the thieves had ransacked rooms upstairs but stolen nothing.

Investigating Officer, DC Mandi Coltman , said: "This woman’s husband had been waiting for his wife to return, but instead saw the sight of two strangers in his home. It was down to his actions, shouting at the men and then ringing us here in Essex that led to the thief running off.

“We have carried out house-to-house enquiries and discovered that youngsters on scrambler bikes do hang out in the area. We would ask people to look closely at the efit and contact us with the name of one of the men who invaded this family home.”

Anyone with information in connection with the burglary or who recognises the man from the efit shown is urged to contact detectives at Harlow police station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.