Elderly woman threatened and robbed by house intruder

An elderly woman has been left shaken after she was threatened and robbed within her own home in Renfrewshire.

The 72-year-old was at her home address in the Crossflat Crescent area of Seedhill in Paisley when a man broke in at around 3.10am on Sunday.

The man threatened the pensioner before stealing her handbag which contained her bank cards, house keys and personal items.

Although the victim was physically uninjured she has been left shaken by the incident.

She was in the company of friends at the time, who were similarly affected.

Police are now looking to trace the man who is described as being in his mid-to-late 30s, around 5ft10 with a slim build and short cropped dark hair with a receding hairline.

At the time of the incident he was wearing a navy jacket with dark trousers and spoke with a local accent.

Officers are carrying out door-to-door enquiries and checking CCTV from the area for any additional information which may assist the investigation.

Detective Sergeant Nicola Wake, from Paisley CID, said: “This was a terrifying robbery, which has left an elderly woman traumatised, and it is vital that we find the person responsible.

“It is possible that the man entered a dark-coloured taxi within the Seedhill area after the incident and we are asking for any taxi driver who was in the area at the time to please come forward. This appeal also goes out to other members of the public who may have seen anything suspicious.

“It may be that the man was loitering around the area before committing the crime and he drew your attention, or if you saw someone running away from the area, any piece of information could prove vital.”