The callous opportunist thief demanded cash from the elderly woman after getting into her home in Stamford through an unlocked door.

The vulnerable victim was not hurt by the burglar, but is still suffering from shock following the terrifying late-night raid last week.

Lincolnshire police are calling on the community to "stand up and be counted" to help bring the attacker to justice.

Police spokesman James Newall said: "This was a disgusting crime against an elderly woman.

"The experience of being alone in the house, completely defenceless, with this offender must have been terrifying for her.

"Thankfully, this type of incident is still pretty rare in Lincolnshire, but there is a small minority of criminals who quite deliberately target the most vulnerable people in our communities.

"Particularly in cases like this, we are not just appealing for help. We expect people to come forward. Someone in our community will know who did this.

"They need to stand up and be counted and come to us with the information we need to catch this despicable individual."

The burglary took place at about 11.10pm last Tuesday, in Essex Road.

The woman was alone in bed reading when she was confronted by the raider demanding her handbag in the doorway of her bedroom.

The petrified victim pointed to the lounge and the burglar took the bag from the room before escaping from the house.

Police said the attacker, who was wearing a black hoodie, was between 16 and 20 years old, 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall and of thin build.

n Anyone with information can call Stamford police on 01780 752222.




BREAKING NEWS 7.45am: A burglar stole a handbag from a 96-year-old woman as she lay in bed.
The burglar entered the property in Essex Road, Stamford, at about 11.10pm last Tuesday through an unlocked front door.

He stood in her bedroom doorway, demanding the woman's handbag, and she pointed to the lounge.

The offender, who then made off with the bag, is described as between 16 and 20-years-old, between 5ft 10in and 6ft tall and of thin build.

He was wearing a black hoodie.

Anyone with any information can call Stamford Police Station on: (01780) 752222, quoting incident number 131 of October 7.