Portsmouth residents ‘shocked but not surprised’ after pensioner assaulted by intruders

NEIGHBOURS have said they are shocked but not surprised after a 78-year-old pensioner was attacked by two intruders in the early hours of this morning (October 8).
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The woman, who lives on Queen’s Road in Fratton, was awoken at 1.25am to find two male intruders in her home. The men then covered her mouth leaving her with a cut to her nose.

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Neil Patterson, 55, said: ‘I’m blown away by this – it’s absolutely awful. My mother is 80 and I would hate to think that someone could do that to her.

Queen's Road in Fratton where a pensioner was attacked by two intruders.Queen's Road in Fratton where a pensioner was attacked by two intruders.
Queen's Road in Fratton where a pensioner was attacked by two intruders.
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‘However, I’m not surprised as I’ve had a number of incidents where people have come over my back wall.’

Fellow neighbour, Martin Tomkinson, 40, added: ‘This is a real shame that someone would do this to a lady of 78. This sort of thing could affect her for the rest of her life and she may be fearful of going back into her own home.

‘Who knows what the knock on effect from this could be. I think one of the problems is there’s not enough police on the streets.’

Brian Smith, who works for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, believes the incident is indicative of increasing levels of crime in the area.

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He said: ‘It’s vile behaviour but unfortunately I’m not surprised. I have lived here for six years and there has been a noticeable increase in problems.

‘I have a neighbourhood app on my phone and I see reports of a lot of things happening on the street such as speeding, attempted car break-ins and anti-social behaviour.

‘Last year I came outside to go to work and I found a hypodermic needle in the middle of the street. I have young children and so it’s all very unnerving.’

Fellow resident, Stuart Elley, has lived on the street for six years and is also not surprised.

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‘I’ve a friend who lives nearby who was recently burgled. Unfortunately these sort of people are out there. I have got young children and so it’s certainly worrying,’ said Stuart.

The incident has also left a number of residents concerned for their own safety.

Emma Ferguson, 39, who has lived on the street for 10 years, said: ‘It’s absolutely disgusting that someone could do this to an old lady but it’s frightening to think this happened on our road as I’ve a six-year-old daughter.

‘There was also a recent attack on a girl on this street. Fortunately I have two dogs which act as my intruder alarms.’

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Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, added: ‘I have a one-year-old and it does make you worry when going to bed at night.’

The residents confirmed they had received letters from the police asking if they may have any CCTV or dashcam footage which could help to identify the offenders. The victim described the men as ‘white and being aged in their late teens with one was wearing a grey and the other a black hooded top.’

You can catch up with more of our stories about crime and incidents in Portsmouth by joining our Portsmouth Breaking News and Incidents Facebook group.

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