Home intruder 'not in there for tea and scones'

File photo / NZ Herald

A Westport couple chased off an intruder after being awoken shortly after 1.30am.

Westport community constable Paul Sampson said the middle-aged couple were sound asleep when the rear door of their Queen Street home, near the Henley Street intersection, was broken by the intruder.

They described to police a youth aged 15 to 18 years with a "very pale" complexion and light coloured hair.

Community constable Paul Sampson said the intruder had "bolted" without a trace into the darkness by the time police arrived.

He was apparently wearing a dark coloured t-shirt and pants.

"One of the occupants chased him out ... they thought he was affected by drugs of some sort, and believe he was on foot," Mr Sampson said.

It was disturbing that someone had broken in while the homeowners were asleep in their beds. It was hard to tell if the intruder's motive was burglary or something else: "I suggest he's not in there for tea and scones. It could have led to something more serious," Mr Sampson said.