Woman, 86, suffers 'terrifying' ordeal as balaclava-clad robbers raid home

Updated

A man is under arrest after an 86-year-old woman was put through a "terrifying" ordeal by six balaclava-clad robbers in her own home.

Two of them pinned the victim down and tried to remove her earrings before ripping off her necklace and forcefully removing bangles from her arms, while continually threatening her, police said.

The four other men who had forced their way into her house ransacked her home looking for anything to steal.

Officers say the pensioner was left bruised and "completely traumatised" after the robbers fled, before she eventually contacted family who alerted police.

They are now appealing for any witnesses or information about the raid, at around 3pm on August 10, on Somerset Road in the Heaton area of Bolton, Greater Manchester.

At around 10pm the following day, police arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of robbery. He remains in custody for questioning.

Detective Inspector Charlotte Cadden, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "These men have shown a complete disregard for their victim and subjected her to a terrifying ordeal.

"We would like to appeal for the public's assistance in identifying any sightings of suspicious men or cars in and around the area at the time this incident took place.

"We are also still trying to trace the victim's missing jewellery which has been described as gold rings and bangles.

"If anybody has any information about this violent attack on a defenceless and vulnerable elderly woman then I would urge them to please contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously."

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 5761 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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