A BLIND pensioner said she had become a “bundle of nerves” since an opportunistic burglar stole her handbag from her home while she watered her garden.

A BLIND pensioner said she had become a “bundle of nerves” since an opportunistic burglar stole her handbag from her home while she watered her garden.

The 82-year-old woman from Acle, who has only partial sight and who did not wish to be named, said she had become much more security conscious and always checked she had locked her front door, even if she was only popping outside.

Police believe the burglar was walking passed her bungalow, noticed her tending her garden on the far side of the property from the front door and sneaked in through the side gate.

Once inside the burglar went into her bedroom and took her handbag which she had left in a shopping bag containing nearly �450 in cash as well as numerous cash cards and her registration card for the blind.

She said: “To be honest with you I am a bundle of nerves. Now, if I let my dogs out I stand on the steps and watch them and if I go to the garage or round the back then I lock the front door.”

She became suspicious when one of her dogs, Westie Sammy, joined her as she was gardening on June 25, even though she had kept the side gate locked to keep him away.

When she went to investigate she found the side gate and her bedroom door open, while the shopping bag had been moved about 2ft across the chest of drawers on which it sat.

She added: “I just don't want this to happen to anybody else. There are a lot of elderly people living in this area and a lot of them are on their own.”