Home of elderly couple robbed in north Belfast

Detectives in north Belfast are appealing for information after the home of an elderly couple was robbed early this morning.

An intuder is believed to have entered through the rear of the house on the Deerpark Road at around 1.30am on Wednesday.

The couple remained asleep during the incident as the assailant ransacked the living room before making off with a quantity of gold rings and a sum of money.

Elsewhere, police are appealing for information following two separate attacks on elderly people on Tuesday night.

In west Belfast, an 88-year-old woman suffered bruising to her wrists after a youth forced his way into her home at Gransha Gardens at around 7pm.

The man ransacked her home before fleeing empty handed.

Meanwhile, an 83-year-old man was thrown to the floor during a robbery at his home in Co Down.

A man claiming to be from the Water Service conned his way into the elderly man's home at Dunbarton Street, Gilford, at about 3pm on Tuesday.

He then pretended to test the taps before a further two individuals arrived an promptly threatened the pensioner before throwing him to the floor and ransacking the house. All three individuals then escaped with a sum of money.

Anyone with information on either incident is asked to contact police on 028 9065 0222 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.

(MB/SP)