A knicker thief is on the prowl in Colchester.

Underwear has been disappearing from washing lines over the past week in the New Town area.

It was only confirmed they were being stolen after a woman disturbed the culprit.

She was woken at about 11pm on Saturday night when her motion-activated security light was set off.

When she looked out of her window she saw a man taking items from her washing line.

She then ran downstairs and into the garden to confront the thief, but he jumped over a low garden fence and escaped.

The woman returned to her washing line, and discovered a pair of knickers had been taken.

She told police that she had noticed other items of her underwear had also gone missing over the past week.

Sgt Chris Barker, of Colchester police, said: "Although on the face of it this may seem to be a petty crime, it is quite likely to upset people because of the personal nature of the theft."

The thief was described as white, in his teens, with a large nose and wearing a black hooded top and light-coloured tracksuit trousers.

Has your underwear been stolen? Call Christchurch New Town neighbourhood policing team on 01206 762212.