A swastika was drawn on the front door of a widow’s Chingford home after she is believed to have disturbed burglars.

It comes after police issued a warning that a gang was targeting homes in the area.

The 69-year-old, who lives alone since her husband died recently and asked not to be named, was at home in Newlands Road, Chingford, on Thursday when she heard a "long bang" at around 5pm. 

She stepped outside, which set off the motion-censored security light, to check what was happening. 

"There was a noise coming from next door,” she said.

“I think I disturbed them from coming into my home,” 

When police arrived she found a swastika drawn on the door of her porch in black pen.

"I was absolutely shocked and terrified when the policewoman showed me," the woman said. 

"It was so scary and such a frightening ordeal." 

An hour later, her neighbour told her his house had been raided by burglars, who had smashed through his patio door. 

The Guardian is awaiting a response from police.

For more on this story, see this week's Guardian - out Thursday