An 89-year-old woman who was attacked by a gang of intruders has spoken of the 'frightening' ordeal that left her terrified of returning to her home of 38 years.
Connie Hallford had to be taken to hospital after three men broke into her house in Arrowhead Drive, Lakenheath, on Monday evening, with one of the men striking her to the ground.
Ms Hallford, whose husband George died 12 years ago, is now being cared for in a west Suffolk care home.
While she enjoys living by herself, her ordeal has left her scared of returning home.
'I want to go back to put some of the things correct, you see. I'm hoping to go with somebody,' she said.
'I'm not going anywhere on my own. If I go and live there, which I should, I want somebody with me. I don't want to be left on my own.'
She also said she was 'very cross' and 'won't ever forgive' her attackers - one of who stayed with her while the other two searched her house.
She said: 'The two kept throwing things about. The other one stayed with me and asked 'are you alright?' I said 'no, I'm bleeding from my head'. He didn't look at me then, for a little while.'
The gang broke in through Ms Hallford's front door between 7.45pm and 8.05pm. The 89-year-old, who turns 90 in September, stopped sorting out her monthly paperwork to confront the thieves, telling them to 'clear off'.
She said: 'We're brave people in this country, don't you think? In the war you'd have seen all that bravery. I was brought up like that.
'I'd rather get home and live my life. I'll be 90 this year and I just want to live my life. I want to get on and get back on with the life I had.'
Police have issued appeals for people who were in the area at the time to come forward, and are particularly keen to trace the occupants of a black Vauxhall car that was seen in the Back Street area of Lakenheath around 7.30pm.
Detective Inspector David Giles said: 'The response to our initial appeals has been disappointing. However, we have a team of officers working in the area and continue to make enquiries.
'Our victim, Connie, has been incredibly brave today by waiving her anonymity and hopefully this will bring forward some new information. We are sure someone out there knows who has committed this despicable crime and we urge anyone with information to get in contact immediately.'
Anyone with any information should call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here