A BABYSITTER has been left shaken and upset after a burglar stole her purse, iPad and car keys.

Patrols were called to a house on Bleak Hill Road at around 8.10pm yesterday by a 22-year-old woman.

The offender was disturbed by the woman after she went to investigate a noise in a downstairs room. She saw the man walking out of the house through the kitchen door and down the driveway. He also stole a black and white Michael Kors handbag.

He is described as white, aged between 30 and 35 and around 5ft 8in and of a slim build. He was wearing a tracksuit top which was either dark grey or blue with red markings, dark coloured sports shorts and white trainers.

He didn’t speak to the babysitter or approach her but she was left extremely upset and shaken, say police.

He left in the direction of Tesco at Windle Island Traffic lights. 

Detective Sergeant Paul Smith from St Helens CID said: "There are no signs of forced entry so we believe the offender has got in through an insecure window or door. He has searched several rooms while this young woman was elsewhere in the house and been disturbed after she went to investigate a noise.

"Thankfully, no confrontation has occurred and he has calmly walked out of the back door, around the side of the house and onto the driveway, having stolen a distinctive black and white designed handbag containing personal items.

"Thursday night was a warm evening and plenty of people will have been in the area while it was still light and who might have seen the offender before or after the burglary.

"I would encourage anyone with information that could help us catch him to call St Helens CID’s burglary and robbery team on 0151 777 6842 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”