A MASKED man threatened a 92-year-old woman with a knife after forcing his way into her Huddersfield home.

Intruders also broke into the home of an 86-year-old disabled woman in another burglary and stole her handbag as she sat helpless in her wheelchair.

Police are disgusted at the two callous crimes, which happened yesterday, and have urged people to do all they can to try to help officers catch the thieves.

The first burglar called at the 92-year-old's home on Bradley Road in Bradley between 9.15am and 9.25am.

He rang the bell and when she went to the door claimed he had pushed the wrong Sunday paper through the letterbox.

As soon as she started to open it, he shoved the door and she fell to the floor.

He was armed with a knife and ransacked all the rooms before escaping with a small amount of cash, leaving her to struggle up from the floor alone.

She suffered bruises to her side and back and had a precautionary X-ray at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

The man is about 6ft tall, stocky and wore a balaclava.

At 5pm two men broke into the home of an 86-year-old woman as she sat in her wheelchair at her house in the Manchester Road area of Milnsbridge.

The victim, who is partially-sighted and relies on a home help, could do nothing as the intruders searched through the rooms before stealing money from her handbag.

She was badly shocked by the ordeal and taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary for treatment.

Det Insp Sam Cooke, of Huddersfield CID, said: "Both these victims were living their lives in peace and tranquillity before yesterday. The way the thief ransacked the 92-year-old victim's home leads us to think he was desperately looking for cash.

"I'm sure someone knows who he is and I suspect he may well live in that area. The violence was totally unnecessary and he showed absolutely no concern for her feelings or welfare after pushing her over. He was purely intent on searching her rooms.

"The second victim was also shown no respect by the two men who broke in.

"I would urge people to do all they can to help to protect the elderly and would urge anyone with any information about these crimes to contact us."

Phone detectives on 01484 436582.