Police hunt burglars who left 98-year-old man fighting for his life

Police are hunting burglars who launched a brutal and “completely excessive” attack on a 98-year-old pensioner during a robbery at his home in northeast London.

Paramedics found the elderly man with serious injuries including a head wound at the property in Enfield at around 10am yesterday. He was rushed to an east London hospital, where he is in a critical condition, The Sun reports.

The victim had spoken to a relative on the phone early on Monday afternoon and nothing appeared to be amiss, so “detectives believe the violent robbery unfolded between 2pm on Monday and when officers were called to the address”, says the London Evening Standard.

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“This was a brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable pensioner in his own home,” said Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Paul Ridley. “The level of violence used was completely excessive.”

A number of items were taken, including a television and personal belongings, according to police.

Ridley urged “any members of the public that may have seen any persons acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Evesham Road, Enfield, to come forward”.

“I can reassure residents that patrols have been stepped up in the area and extensive efforts are being made to identify and apprehend to persons responsible,” he added.