A Bradford man today told how he tackled a knife-wielding thief who had sneaked into his home.

The thief got into the house in Low Moor, Bradford, through a door which had been left unlocked.

Tony Archer was sitting in the living room with his wife, watching television, when he heard someone in the upstairs bedroom.

Mr Archer went to investigate and saw the man crouched down. A struggle started and he pushed him on to the landing. They continued fighting and both fell down the stairs.

Despite being held by his leg, the thief got up and grabbed a knife from the kitchen. He lashed out at Mr Archer, who suffered a small cut to his hand.

He tried to escape through the back garden, but Mr Archer again jumped on him and they landed on a car.

This time the thief did scramble free and he ran off. He stole a handbag which contained some cash, bank cards and keys. He also got away with a portable radio from the kitchen.

Mr Archer, 53, said: "I was shocked when I saw the man crouched down in the bedroom. He started telling some story about being stabbed and said I had let him in.

"I told my wife to ring for the police and watched over him, but a struggle started.

"The cut to my hand is not too bad, but my foot is black and blue following the fall down the stairs."

The thief is described as white, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall, about 20 years old, with a very small face, short blond hair and a thin moustache.

He was wearing a black and dark blue track suit, white trainers and a dark T-shirt.

During the struggle he left a blue Kickers jumper with a white band round it.

Sergeant Graham Lumley, of Odsal police, appealed for information about the incident.

He also warned people to lock their doors even if they are in the house.

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