A BRAZEN sneak thief raided the home of a partially sighted, severely disabled woman while she was in bed.

The burglar struck at the John Darling Mall warden-controlled flats in Shakespeare Road, Eastleigh.

Police said the 40-year-old victim - who they are not naming - was awake at the time and heard her front door open but was unable to do anything because of her disability.

Nothing was said by the raider, who stole a handbag from the living room containing a small amount of cash and personal effects, including bank cards.

The victim managed to get herself out of bed and into her wheelchair to discover that her front door was open.

Police have condemned the burglar and appealed for help from the public in a bid to track him down.

Supt Ann Wakefield said: "The offence of burglary is a distressing and traumatic crime for anyone to suffer. For it to be committed against such a vulnerable person makes it worse still.

"The offender must have known this was the case because the victim was living in warden-controlled flats. The burglary unit is concentrating all its efforts on identifying this offender."

The thief was captured on the flats' closed-circuit television system. He was seen entering the building shortly after 4am and hurriedly leaving just a few minutes later.

He is described as white and wearing a dark hooded jacket with the hood up, lighter coloured trousers - possibly jeans - and bright white trainers.

It is believed he approached the building from the rear and left in the direction of Shakespeare Road.

Detectives would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a discarded leather handbag with the word "GIGI" embossed on the flap, or spotted any purses or wallets abandoned in the area.

Anyone who may have information about the burglary should contact detectives immediately at Eastleigh police station on 0845 045 4545 or phone the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.