Elderly woman dies after collapsing during burglary at London home

'Wonderful' 77-year-old called police before collapsing but the burglars escaped

The woman's home was burgled in Bells Hill, Barnet (Google Streetview)

An elderly woman has died after her house was burgled in London.

The 77-year-old victim managed to dial 999 from her home in Barnet, but collapsed while on the phone to police.

Officers and paramedics performed CPR and transferred her to hospital but she died the following day.

The Metropolitan Police said the woman called 999 at 6pm on Tuesday to report that two suspects had broken into her home in Bells Hill, Barnet, and stolen property.

“While on the telephone to the police operator, the woman collapsed,” a spokesperson added.

“Police and London Ambulance Service attended. Emergency CPR was given by attending officers. The 77-year-old woman was taken to a north London hospital in a critical condition.

“She died on the morning of Wednesday, 5 December. At this early stage there have been no arrests. Enquiries continue. ”

The woman’s family have been informed and a post-mortem will be held in due course to establish the cause of her death.

DCI Noel McHugh from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said: “This burglary has ended with the worst possible consequences. A wonderful elderly lady has died. With that in mind, I want to reach out and make a direct appeal to anyone from the criminal fraternity who has information to contact us.

“You will know and discussions will be going on about who is involved and where any stolen property is, I need you to have the confidence to call police and let us know who is responsible.”

It comes after a 98-year-old man died after his home was targeted in a burglary in London last month.

Peter Gouldstone suffered a head injury and extensive bruising to his body when violent robbers attacked in Bounds Green. He died three weeks later in hospital.

The attackers made off with belongings including a television and no arrests have been made.

A crime scene is in place and enquiries are underway to establish if the burglary is linked to other similar offences in the area.

Police say they are investigating whether the burglary in Barnet is “linked to other similar offences in the area”.

DCI McHugh 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. Three of the four properties targeted were empty when the burglaries took place.

“Both suspects involved are described as white males aged in their twenties and of thin build. They wore dark woolly hats and dark clothing.”

Police are increasing patrols near the woman’s home, conducting house-to-house enquiries and gathering CCTV and other potential evidence.

Chief Superintendent Simon Rose said the incident would cause “concern and alarm to those in the area”.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0208 785 8099 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.