82-year-old man is punched by burglars

sum of £1,000 and he was punched a number of times.

While the offenders were searching the property, the victim managed to leave the house and alert a neighbour who contacted the police.

The suspects stole £600 and a mobile phone and fled the scene.

The man, who is a grandfather, was not seriously injured. He was checked over by an ambulance crew but did not require hospital treatment.

Det Insp Stephanie Fox, of Kirklees District CID, said: “Thankfully the elderly victim was not seriously injured but this will clearly have been a very distressing ordeal for him.

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries to identify the people responsible and we would like to hear from anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area or who has any information that could assist the investigation.

“We recognise that an incident of this kind will cause understandable concern in the local community and we are liaising with our colleagues on the local neighbourhood policing team who are increasing their patrols of the area to provide suitable reassurance.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kirklees District CID via 101 quoting crime reference 13180564190 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.