A WOMAN, aged 72, was attacked by a masked man as she slept early today.

She was the latest victim of criminals targeting Bolton pensioners in a pre-Christmas spate of thefts and burglaries.

property worth hundreds of pounds has been snatched from the town's vulnerable elderly during a series of crimes within the last week.

In today's attack, the woman was hit by an intruder who broke into her home as she lay asleep in bed.

The masked man hit his frail victim and demanded she hand over money before he then fled empty handed just before 4am.

Today a police spokesman said the elderly woman from the Tonge Moor area -- who did not need hospital treatment -- had been left traumatised by her experience.

The attacker is described as white, aged about 20, 5 ft 2 ins tall and of medium build. He was wearing a black balaclava.

Yesterday two elderly women were also targeted by a man, claiming to be a water board worker, who made off with property worth £700 after snatching their handbags.

Their attacker pushed both women -- aged 77 and 81 -- to the floor during a struggle before running from their home on High Stile Street, Kearsley. His eldest victim was left with cuts above an eye and to her hand as well as receiving a slight injury to her forearm.

And last Saturday an 80-year-old woman was targeted by two men claiming to be workmen who had been called out to fix a water leak. After conning their way into her home the men then fled with £80 in cash.

Now Bolton police chiefs are warning Bolton pensioners to be extra vigilant against bogus officials and tricksters.

Detective Chief Inspector John Tyrer stressed the crimes were not being linked at the moment but he added: "We would just urge people not to let people into their homes without checking identification badges.

"The real workmen would not mind checks on identification being made with the police. It is appalling that these people are preying on the vulnerable people in the town."

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