Elderly woman tied up, robbed

Grey Power is calling on the community to do more to protect the elderly after a woman was tied to a chair in an ‘‘abominable’’ Palmerston North home invasion.

Grey Power Manawatu¯ president Lew Findlay said too many elderly people were socially isolated, which made them more vulnerable to violent attacks.

It was disgusting that the elderly couldn’t even feel safe in their own homes, he said.

‘‘[This attack] is abominable ... What do we need to do? Do we need to get barbed wire fences?’’

On Saturday, a man burst into the elderly woman’s home in Church St, between Victoria Ave and Albert St, between 9am and 9.30am.

Detective Sergeant Dave Wishnowsky said the intruder threatened her before he tied her to a chair, stole her bank card and escaped in her car - a red Toyota Corolla, registration EWG803.

‘‘She was very shaken following the incident, but unhurt,’’ Wishnowsky said.

Findlay said police were doing all they could with the resources they had, but the community could step up and do more to help.

‘‘If more people joined Neighbourhood Watch, or were just friendly with their neighbours, this sort of thing would be noticed by someone before it went too far.

‘‘We all need to get involved with and look after our neighbours.’’

Neighbours were in the best position to help immediately when there was a problem but he believed neighbourhoods had become disconnected, he said.

‘‘This raises a question for the community. How well do you know your neighbours? Do you even know their names?‘‘

Findlay said the disconnect was particularly hard on the elderly and gave a recent example where Grey Power helped an elderly woman who had no family in her life.

She barely had a reason to leave her house, he said. If anything had gone wrong, it would’ve been a long time before anyone knew about it.

‘‘She kept coming up with grocery lists of things she didn’t really need, just so she could go to the shop and talk to another human being.’’

Grey Power got her involved with a senior citizens social group that she didn’t even know existed.

Now if something happens to her, someone will notice when she doesn’t show up, Findlay said.

Wishnowsky asked for the public’s help identifying the attacker from Saturday’s home invasion in the city.

He said the intruder had likely driven around Palmerston North in the woman’s red Toyota after the robbery.

The woman described the man as wearing a dark ‘‘silky’’ zipped jacket and dark pants, about 178 centimetres tall.

Police are investigating and ask anyone who saw a vehicle matching the description, or any suspicious behaviour in the area that morning, to contact Palmerston North police on 06 351 3600.