Pensioner flees after attack

The burglars barged their way into the 87-year-old Molly Hunter's home shortly before 7.30pm on Sunday and made off with a sum of cash, taken after ransacking the pensioner's bedroom and handbag.

The lady, described by DUP MLA George Robinson as "the salt of the earth", is said to be so severely traumatised by the attack that she has left her Limavady home to stay with relatives. Area Commander Chief Inspector Cargin has blasted the thugs responsible and vowed to follow all lines of enquiry in finding the "cowardly" thieves.

He said: "This was a cowardly attack on one of the more vulnerable members of our community."

"Unfortunately incidents like this create fear within the local community however I want to reassure residents particularly those living in the Roemill Road area that we are investigating all available lines of enquiry to find those responsible."

Deputy Mayor of Limavady Alderman George Robinson, who knows the elderly woman, described the robbers as "scum of the earth".

"I hope the people who did this are ashamed of themselves. This lady is the salt of the earth, one of life's ladies, that's how I would describe her."

Chair of Limavady District Policing Partnership Brenda Chivers called the perpetrators "spineless".

"There is no place in our society for anyone who carries out such attacks".

"At the next meeting of Limavady District Policing Partnership, I will take the opportunity to discuss with the Police their strategies to protect the elderly and also to bring perpetrators of such to justice. There is also a role for local communities to keep a watchful eye on their neighbours and their neighbourhoods and not to turn a blind eye when we see something unusual and to report it to the Police."

Councillor Chivers continued: "I on behalf of the District Policing Partnership would call on anyone who knows anything about this attacks to report it to the PSNI or through Crimestoppers, which is an independent charity and where your name will never be asked".

UUP Councillor Jack Rankin totally condemned the attack.

"I regard those people responsible for this attack as cowards who have deliberately targeted a vulnerable member of our community.

"If anyone has seen anything, no matter how small, in the area at the time of this attack, I would urge them to get in contact with the police in Limavady immediately or anonymous crime charity Crimestoppers.

Alderman Rankin added: "I would also appeal to everyone around the borough to look out for their neighbours, especially those that could be seen as 'easy targets' to thugs capable of such a disgusting attack."

Foyle UUP Alderman, Mary Hamilton echoed her Limavady counterparts view: "I sympathise with this lady. The people who did this are nothing more than predators and thugs and I would like to know how they knew this lady had that kind of money in the house. "

She added: "I think the law should come down strongly on people like this as the current practices are no deterrent to those intent on committing opportunistic crimes such as this."

Area Commander Chief Inspector Cargin appealed for anyone with information to come forward:

"I would encourage anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward and talk to police. If anyone is concerned about their personal safety I would ask that they contact our crime prevention office or a member of the local Neighbourhood Team."

A police spokeswoman has asked anyone with information on the attack to contact police at Limavady on 08456008000. Alternatively information can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800555111.