Two women bravely fought off burglars they found inside their homes, Police revealed today.

In two separate incidents, a 53-year-old woman and a 57-year-old woman were both confronted by men this morning.

In one case, at about 12.45 am. Police said they were called to a report of a burglary at a home on Jennings Bay Road, in Southampton.

A Police spokesman said: “A 53-year-old woman said she was asleep in her bedroom when she was woken by her dog barking. She then noticed someone in her room. She confronted and briefly struggled with the intruder, who escaped empty handed.”

In the other incident at 12.25 a.m., Police were called to a home on Tankfield Lane, Paget, where a 57-year-old woman said she was at home when her dog started barking.

The spokesman said: “She opened her door to let the dog out and noticed a man at the edge of her property. She then closed her door and retreated into her house.

“The man subsequently entered the home and a struggle ensued between the resident and the intruder. The suspect managed to temporarily overpower the 57-year-old woman and began to search the house.

“However, despite this the woman managed to activate an alarm, causing the intruder to make good his escape empty handed.”

In the Southampton case, the suspect was described as a person of small build wearing dark clothing. In the second case, the suspect is described as a dark skinned male, approximately 5ft 8ins, of slim build wearing a black rain coat, dark coloured pants, black sneakers and weighing around 160lbs.

Anyone with any information about the incidents to contact the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295 0011 or the Somerset Criminal Investigation Unit on 234 1010.

Neither woman was injured.

* Full story in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.