A plucky pensioner who came face-to-face with a burglar in his Shropshire home locked the man in a room and raised the alarm.But the intruder slipped out through a window and ran away down the street with his victim’s wallet and credit cards.

The elderly man was unhurt after his struggle with the thief but left shaken and frightened. The drama happened just after 1.15am yesterday at sheltered accommodation in St John’s Park, Whitchurch.

It came just two days after a thief sneaked into an elderly woman’s bedroom there and stole jewellery as she slept.

Yesterday’s incident happened when the elderly man, who has asked not to be named, went into his room to get something.

He was startled to see a man hiding behind the door and challenged him.

Police said an altercation took place during which the intruder grabbed the pensioner’s arms. He pushed away the man, shut him in the room and shouted to his wife to call the police.

Officers arrived but the burglar had made off through a window and had run off towards St John’s Road. A search was carried out but he was not found.

Constable Steve Cummings today appealed for anyone with information to contact him as a matter of urgency.

“This was a very frightening experience for the occupants, who have been left shaken and upset,” he said.

The offender is described as white, in his late teens or early 20s and wearing dark clothing including a cap.

A woman in her 80s, also living at St John’s Park, was targeted on Sunday morning. Police believe the two raids might be connected.

A burglar sneaked into the woman’s bedroom and stole jewellery as she slept. Police said she had been left very distressed.

A Samsung flat screen television, a handbag and money box with loose change were also stolen.

Constable Ed Bates, investigating officer, said: “Had she woken up while they were in the room then the consequences could have been even worse.

“Anyone with information can contact police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

“If someone knows something but doesn’t want to be identified, they can even push a note through the door of Whitchurch Police Station marked for my attention.”

By Deborah Collins and Abigail Bates