Elderly Woman Stabbed During Shop Burglary

Detectives are looking for a man after an elderly woman was tied up and attacked while working in a shop in Portsmouth.

At around 4.45pm on Tuesday May 21st, a man forced his way into the back of ‘The Goldman’ store on Fratton Road.
 
The burglar tied up a 72-year-old woman working in the shop by using cable ties on her wrists and ankles. There was a struggle between the two of them.
 
The woman was stabbed in the face, causing a wound to one of her cheeks with swelling and bruising. She remains in hospital to be treated for injuries, which are not life-threatening.
 
Several hundred pounds from the shop till and items of jewellery were stolen.
 
The burglar left through the back of the shop and police think he made his way onto Claremont Road and Walmer Road.
 
Detective Inspector Christopher Parry of Portsmouth CID said:
 
“This was a planned and targeted burglary, which has left a vulnerable elderly woman with a nasty facial injury, and feeling extremely shocked and upset.

"Police would like to recognise her courage in confronting and trying to stop the burglar during such a frightening experience.
 
“Several lines of enquiry to arrest a suspect are being pursued in the community where we want to hear from anyone who may have seen a man acting suspiciously on Tuesday afternoon.
 
“I am appealing specifically for local residents to check their gardens and bins for any discarded property, particularly a knife, any parts of a cash till, or a white sequin bag.”
 
The suspect was described as:
 
● White
● Skinny build
● 5 ft 5 ins to 5 ft 6 ins tall
● He was wearing all dark clothing and a balaclava
 
Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact CID at Fratton Police Station by phoning 101.