A PENSIONER was robbed in her own home by a gang of teenagers wearing balaclavas.
The terrified 85-year-old was robbed of just a few pounds in cash and had to be taken to hospital after the ordeal.
Police are now hunting the gang, who struck at 11pm at the property on Oaks Green Mount, off Crowtrees Lane, in Rastrick, on Saturday, December 8.
Det Chief Insp Terry Long, of Calderdale CID, said: “This was an attack on an old lady for just a few pounds.
“Although she wasn’t seriously injured she did have to go to hospital and was left very shaken.
“Thankfully incidents like this in West Yorkshire and Calderdale in particular are extremely rare and we have increased patrols in the area to help reassure residents.”
It is thought the suspects got in through the front door and once inside they demanded money and grabbed the woman’s arm and hit her in the face.
They then made off with some cash, leaving the badly-shaken woman with bruising.
Calderdale CID believe the suspects were teenagers and were all wearing balaclavas at the time.
Detectives are investigating the possibility that the offenders may have previously been in the property.
“They seemed to know what they were doing when they went in so we are looking at whether this lady may have had someone call round at her house and carry out some work inside,” added Det Chief Insp Long.
“We are also investigating if anyone else locally has been the victim of a so-called bogus burglary.
“A bogus burglary is when someone goes to a house and pretends to be offering a service – for example by pretending to be from a utility provider or offering to carry out some work.
“Their intention, however, is to distract the householder. For example by asking them to run a tap or asking them to make a cup of tea. They will then steal valuables when the person’s back is turned.”
Det Chief Insp Long said opportunist thieves strike at Christmas because there may be more valuables in a home.
He added: “Christmas is a time for giving but opportunist thieves have their eyes fixed on anything they can get their hands on – and at this time of year there are often a lot of valuable items under the tree.
“But there are simple steps you can carry out to make life a lot more difficult for thieves – by simply locking your doors and windows you are making life much more difficult for the opportunist thief who will simply move on to another property.
“And if you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours or relatives then check they are OK and have precautions such as a chain on the door and know to always ask for identification of any uninvited callers.”
Anyone with information about the robbery, who saw anything suspect in the Oaks Green Mount and Crowtrees Lane area at the time or know who the culprits are is asked to contact Calderdale CID on 101 or anonymous tip-offs can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
