SHOCKED neighbours today told of their horror after a woman was robbed by a masked man armed with a knife who forced his way in to her Felixstowe home.

SHOCKED neighbours today told of their horror after a woman was robbed by a masked man armed with a knife who forced his way in to her Felixstowe home.

The robber threatened the 59-year-old woman and made her hand over a quantity of cash, believed to be about £1,000.

He then had the audacity to search her property for more money and other valuables before fleeing.

The incident comes just four days after a balaclava-clad armed robber attempted to hold up a Felixstowe post office with a double-barrelled shotgun

Police have not linked the incidents, but are still appealing for witnesses to both crimes and are hoping the public can help them catch the men.

The aggravated burglary happened at a house in Langley Avenue, Felixstowe, just after 7.30am yesterday.

The woman heard a knock at the back door and went to answer it. She opened the door and saw a man in a wolf mask, who then pushed her back into the hallway, threatened her with a knife and demanded money.

Dc Wayne McCarthy, of Felixstowe CID, said the woman – who has not been named – handed over a sum of cash, and the offender made a brief search of the property before running away.

"The victim was shaken and sustained a minor cut to two fingers, but was otherwise unhurt," said DC McCarthy.

Neighbours of the woman said they were very shocked at the incident.

One woman said: "I know the woman and it has shaken us all. I was very scared myself last night and it makes you worried to open your door."

Another neighbour said: "We don't get very much trouble round here but I suppose things can happen anywhere. We are getting some new street lighting, so we hope that will help."

The offender is described as white, about 6ft, of slim build and was wearing dark blue denim jeans and a black jacket.

Dc McCarthy appealed for anyone who was in the Maidstone Road-Langley Avenue area of the town yesterday morning to contact police as they may have vital information which could help with the investigation.

"We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area, particularly anyone who may have seen a man matching this description," he said.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Felixstowe CID on 01473 383300 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

n Meanwhile, detectives are still appealing for anyone who was in the Beach Station Road area of the town on Thursday at about 2.45pm to contact them as part of their inquiries into the attempted raid on the street's post office.

The gun-wielding raider was thwarted by two women working in the store, who saw him approaching, hid under the counter and called the police.

The man struck the reinforced glass barrier with what is believed to have been the butt of the gun. The security glass shattered, but did not break.

He ran from the shop in the direction of Pretyman Road and turned right into Tacon Road.