This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A 98-year-old man has been left fighting for his life after being attacked by robbers in his own home, Metropolitan police have said.

Detectives were called to the house in Bounds Green, north London, shortly after 10am on Tuesday and found the man suffering serious injuries. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he remained in a life-threatening condition on Tuesday evening, Scotland Yard said.

“This was a brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable pensioner in his own home. The level of violence used was completely excessive,” said DI Paul Ridley, who is leading the investigation. The man was left with bruising to his body and a head injury.

Police said they found evidence of a disturbance in the house, with items including a Toshiba TV and other personal belongings said to be missing.

Detectives said they believed the attack on the pensioner, who has not been named, took place at some point in the 20 hours preceding the call for assistance, which came from the London ambulance service at 10.06am.

Ridley said: “From our inquiries, we have established that the victim was spoken to by a family member on the phone on Monday 5 November at 2pm and had not raised any concerns.

“I would urge any members of the public that may have seen any persons acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Evesham Road, Enfield, N11, to come forward to my investigation team as a priority.

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

No arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing, police said on Tuesday night.