TWO thugs in Halloween masks smashed a young mother’s front door with a metal pole during a terrifying attempted burglary.

Brave Samantha Wilson, 25, chased off the yobs who were wearing Anonymous masks made popular by the filmVFor Vendetta, as they tried to enter her flat in Long Riding on Friday night.

Miss Wilson said: “It is really terrifying. I have not been able to sleep since it happened.

“My two-year-old son was asleep in the bedroom near the front door. I have had all kinds of thoughts about what could have happened if they got in.”

The crooks got in to the block of flats through a communal door which is left open after being damaged about two years ago.

Miss Wilson returned home at 9.30pm, on Friday, after visiting her father.

She was watching TV through headphones, because she did not want to disturb her son, when she heard banging at the front door at 10.10pm.

She said: “I just ran in to the hallway and shouted as loud as I could and they legged it.

“They had used a large metal pole to knock out a door panel and left very large dents in the door frame.

“My neighbours said it was so loud it sounded as if someone was letting off fireworks in the corridor.

“I am so frightened for myself and my son now. All noises make me worry they have come back.

“What if it wasn’t a random attack and they try and come back? I am scared to be in my home and I am afraid to go out.”

Miss Wilson is angry at landlord Basildon Council because she claims she has been reporting the faulty door to maintenance staff since she moved in to her flat in 2012.

She added: “I feel if the council had fixed the door then it could have prevented what happened.”

Two neighbours spotted the crooks fleeing the block of flats. The pair were wearing masks, dark hoodies and one was wearing blue tracksuit bottoms.

A Basildon Council spokesman said: “We are aware of an attempted burglary in Long Riding and will be sending our contractors to the address to make safe and repair any damage done to the property.

“In addition, our antisocial behaviour team will liaise with local police to request an increase in patrols in the area in a bid to reduce the fear of crime for our residents.”

Essex Police confirmed they are investigating. Call them on 101 with any information.