An 85-year-old woman was dragged up the stairs by masked armed robbers in a 'horrendous attack' in her own home in Bolton .
Police were called to reports of a robbery at a house on Purbeck Drive just before 9pm last night (Saturday, January 11).
Some time between 7pm and 8pm, two men - armed with a metal bar - broke into the elderly woman's house as she was watching TV.
They dragged her upstairs before threatening her and demanding money, GMP say.
The thugs pushed the woman to the floor then ransacked her bedrooms.
The victim managed to raise the alarm with a neighbour, despite one of the robbers putting his hand over her mouth in an attempt to silence her.
The neighbour then called the police.
The men - who were dressed in dark clothing and had their hands and faces covered - fled with a quantity of cash.
They also stole several pieces of jewellery.
Police are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you saw two men dressed in dark clothing in the area.
Detective Inspector John Davies, of GMP’s Bolton district, said: “This was a horrendous attack on an elderly woman in her own home, the place where you should feel safe, and we’re doing everything we can to find the men responsible.
“The woman bravely tried to shout for help but one of the robbers put his hand over her mouth in an attempt to silence her.
“Thankfully she wasn’t seriously injured and is recovering with her family but she has been left incredibly shaken by this ordeal.
“It wasn’t particularly late when this incident occurred so I am hoping someone will have seen something that could assist with our enquiries.
"If you saw two men dressed in dark clothing and acting suspiciously in the area or have any information that could help us find the men responsible for this despicable attack, please get in touch as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 5757 or 101 quoting incident number 2835 of 11/01/2020, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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