Elderly woman dies after burglary

A77-year-old woman has died after two burglars forced their way into her flat.

She collapsed while phoning the police to report the intruders just after 6pm on Tuesday at her home in Barnet, north London.

The unnamed victim was taken to hospital in a critical condition after police officers and paramedics administered CPR. Scotland Yard said she died in hospital yesterday morning. Her family has been told.

Police are investigating whether the burglary is linked to three other break-ins in the area. But officers said there was no evidence to suggest the burglary was linked to the violent breakin at the home of World War II veteran Peter Gouldstone, about six miles away.

The 98-year-old died after he was severely injured during the aggravated burglary at his home in Enfield on November 6, during which a Panasonic television and other possessions were stolen.

Detective chief inspector Noel McHugh, who is leading the Barnet investigation, said: “Our focus now is catching the culprits behind this burglary, which has contributed to the death of an elderly woman.

“We are doing everything we can to build a clear picture of this incident. This includes looking at three other break-ins that have been reported in the nearby area. Work is ongoing to establish if they are linked.”

The other three burglaries involved flats that were empty at the time, McHugh pointed out. He added: “This burglary has ended with the worst possible consequences. A wonderful elderly lady has died.”

The suspects are both thin, white men aged in their 20s who wore dark woolly hats and dark clothing, he said.

Detective chief superintendent Simon Rose said extra police would be deployed to the area to help reassure worried residents. He said: “These break-ins and the subsequent death of an elderly woman will no doubt cause concern and alarm to those in the area.”