A front porch was smashed open with a brick while an elderly couple lay asleep in bed.

The couple, aged 85 and 84, were left in fear when they learned their home in Bexley Road had been targeted in the early hours of Friday morning.

Their niece, who lives five doors away, told News Shopper: "It’s a frightening thing for them.

"The sad thing is my aunt is partially deaf which is the reason she couldn’t hear anything. My aunt saw the light was on in the porch at quarter to six in the morning and she opened the door to a shard of glass."

The family member, who didn’t want to be named, said the front was "a complete mess" and she "couldn't believe" how those responsible didn't leave blood after appearing to climb through the broken glass.

A brick was thrown to smash the porch before it was again used to break more glass.

However, the second double glazed window proved too strong.

The niece said: "My aunt is broken by it and they are fearing for their lives at that age.

"I don’t know whether they were disturbed or got pissed off at not being able to get in."

READ MORE: Mum’s warning after daughter followed home from school in Bexleyheath

Another home was targeted in Bexley Road that night and police were called just before 1.30am.

A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary after a police dog bit him.

He was taken to hospital as a precaution before eventually being taken to custody.

A police spokesman said two other men fled the scene of the burglary and got away.

It is not known whether the two burglaries on the same road were linked.

Police asked anyone with information to contact them on 101 quoting CAD352/15MAR.

The niece of the elderly couple added: "It is in the area all the time with houses getting broken into.

"People just need to be aware of this because neighbours will look out for each other."