Receiving a Ring doorbell alert meant a mother came within “half a metre” of a would-be burglar last night.

The victim, who asked not to be identified, ran downstairs at around 1.30am after being woken by motion at her door in Bowman's Green, Meriden. The camera then showed a man in the driveway.

She opened the front door to check but decided to go back in and make sure her car was locked when she did not see anyone from the doorway.

What the 37-year-old realised with “fear” from watching further footage later on was that the hooded man only left her property after she had gone back inside. Because it is possible to hear when the back gate was opened in the recording, the family think the man must have been stood around the corner from her just within the alleyway.

“He was probably about half a metre away, literally you step off my doorstep and my gate is literally there,” the Meriden area resident said.

“As soon as he heard the front door close, he’s gone past and set off the cameras again and casually walked down the road with his hands in his pockets.”

The family have not reported what happened to police, because they do not expect anything could be done due to the face covering, jacket, and hood the man wore. However, they wanted to share what happened so that neighbours are aware and take precautions.

Extra lights and cameras have been installed at the home this afternoon.

The full-time carer, who was in the house with her three children including one with severe learning difficulties, added: “I would have been alright but for the fact that he was in the alleyway.

“If I hadn’t have checked he would have tried to come into my house, that’s what scares me.”

Herts Police have previously said they are committed to tackling burglary in the county. The force confirmed officers attend and investigate all reports of home burglary, and offer victims prevention and home security packs.

Suspected criminality can be reported to online at www.herts.police.uk/ro/report or by calling non-emergency number 101.