Defiant pensioner Eileen Jeffrey gave shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe a vivid account of her personal experience of crime.

Mrs Jeffrey, 76, told Miss Widdecombe when the Tory politician visited Hastings yesterday how a mugger snatched her shopping bags and purse containing £200.

Miss Widdecombe commended Mrs Jeffrey's bravery as the pensioner said: "I didn't get a good look at him but I certainly wouldn't mind having another shot at him."

The two met during Miss Widdecombe's visit to the Silverhill area of Hastings, which has been hit by an increase in violent crime.

During the past five months, there have been four armed robberies.

Victoria Wine shop manager Sandra James, 36, explained how she managed to retrieve a bag of cash by putting a robber in a head lock when he snatched the bag as she walked to a post office.

Since then, more than 1,000 people have signed a petition organised by Mrs James calling on the council to install CCTV cameras in Silverhill to stem the rising tide of crime.

Mrs James said: "The town centre is very well covered by CCTV cameras, which is great, but we are finding that it is pushing the criminals to the fringes of the town, like Silverhill."

Miss Widdecombe agreed, saying spy cameras acted not only as a form of identifying criminals but also as a strong deterrent.

She reiterated the Tories' pledge to put more police officers on the streets by cutting the mountain of paperwork officers face.

Miss Widdecombe added: "We intend to cut through red tape like a knife through butter.

"There is no point in having police officers in offices working through masses of paperwork when they are needed on the streets. It is simply not right."

Her visit coincided with the release of figures which showed a five per cent drop in crime in Hastings.

Most notably, vehicle crime fell by 24 per cent while theft from vehicles plunged by 16 per cent.

Inspector Mike Fagan, of Hastings police, said: "I hope this provides reassurance to local people."