CRIMESTOPPERS is issuing a £1,000 reward for information after an elderly woman was robbed in her own home.

A woman in her 80s, who lives with Dementia and Parkinson’s, was at home on Wednesday, September 23, shortly before 7pm when there was a knock on her back door.

Thinking it was family visiting, she opened the door to be confronted by two men who pushed past her and ran into the house, which is located near the numbered streets in Horden.

One of the men put their hand over her mouth while the other man grabbed her purse from her handbag, before they both ran off.

The victim was physically unhurt but left extremely shaken by the incident.

Ruth McNee, North East regional manager for the independent charity Crimestoppers, said: “Please help us find these men who feel nothing about attacking a defenceless, elderly woman in her own home.

“If you saw anything, or know anything, please tell us, we need to make sure no more vulnerable people have to suffer the way this victim did.

“When you contact our charity, we won’t judge or ask any personal details. All we want to know is what you know.

“We guarantee, like millions of people before you who have trusted our service, that you will remain 100 per cent anonymous. Always.

“If you have any information, please tell our charity what you know. You can speak up 100 per cent anonymously by calling our 24/7 UK contact centre on freephone 0800-555-111 or use our completely anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.”

The reward is only available to people contacting Crimestoppers directly.