A burglar fled empty handed after attempting to burgle a 91-year-old's home in West Drayton - thanks to her courageous neghbour.

The burglar allegedly broke into the 91-year-old's home, in West Drayton Park Avenue, as the elderly homeowner slept on Monday (January 4) night, but didn't manage to take anything.

The woman, however, will have to leave her home, after saying she is now 'too scared' to stay.

Recalling the incident, neighbour Peter Dean, who lives in the same street, heard a loud bang at around 10pm while he was sitting at home.

He said: “I heard the bang and went to investigate, then heard another massive bang and saw a shadow in her porch, kicking the door in.

“I saw someone go in so I ran round there and shouted to them and someone came running down the stairs screaming like a banshee, really loud to intimidate me.

“After challenging the burglar in the entrance hall I was attacked and a scuffle broke out. My only intention was to detain the intruder – I was just trying to hold onto him until someone showed up, but he broke free and ran off.”

Mr Dean's wife called 999 but it was too late by the time police showed up - the burglar had gone.

It is thought they had to come all the way from Eastcote to get there.

Mr Dean thinks this case shows that burglars think they're "untouchable" as the police cannot respond faster, and how vulnerable the elderly are as a result.

He continued: “With West Drayton police station being shut and Hayes police station being on part time, police resources are challenged to breaking point.

“We need officers out there that are a visible deterrent and I, for one, am willing to pay more on my council tax to achieve this.”

'The scum could have been caught'

The 91-year-old victim, who was bedbound and looked after by carers, wanted to spend her last days in her own home, but family are now moving her to care home as she doesn't feel safe.

She will join her husband, who fought in World War II, but now sadly has dementia, in a nearby care home.

Her nephew, John Butt, is appalled by what has happened.

He said: “I can't believe that an area the size of West Drayton doesn't have a police station anymore.

“The difference between a policeman having to come from Eastcote instead of just round corner in West Drayton in this case, could have mean that the scum that broke into my Aunty's house could have been caught there and then.

“This just highlights the plight of vulnerable elderly citizens in our community today - there must be hundreds of people in this country in the same position as my Aunty who slip beneath the radar and are the unknown generation that nobody seems to care about.

"But it was this generation that fought for the very freedoms we enjoy today and here we are, letting them down.”

Mr Butt says he has “the utmost respect for our police service” but cuts mean basic services are being eroded.

He added: “My 91-year-old auntie has been forced to go into a care home for lack of the basic right to feel safe in her own home.

“It's lucky nothing was taken - because the neighbour was so quick they didn't manage to take anything.”

Detectives in Hillingdon are investigating the burglary and confirm that no arrests have yet been made.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “A man reported hearing a bang, he went out to investigate the noise and saw someone standing in the porch of his neighbours home.

“The suspect then ran off after assaulting a neighbour who was attempting to detain him.

“Enquires are on going.”