A pensioner locked a burglar in her lounge as he rifled her home for valuables.
The 65-year-old was woken by her dog barking at her home in Hollingbury Road, Brighton, at 1.30am today.
She saw the intruder check her coat pockets for money, then into her lounge.
She locked the door behind him and rang police from upstairs.
Officers arrived within minutes but the burglar had escaped empty-handed through a window.
Detective Constable Sam Smith said: "The victim acted extremely bravely. We are anxious to talk to anyone who saw this man wandering the streets in the early hours."
The intruder was 25 to 35, of medium build with light brown hair. He wore a long-sleeved jumper and dark trousers.
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