76-year-old woman allegedly raped in France after telling a group of men 'to be quiet'

Police have arrested one man in connection with the alleged attack

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly raped and had her home looted after she told a group of young men to be quiet, French media has reported (AFP/ Getty Images )

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly raped and had her home looted after she told a group of young men to be quiet, French media has reported.

One man has been arrested and police in Paris are looking for three others in connection with the alleged attack, according to Le Parisien newspaper.

The men, who were all wearing masks over their faces, allegedly broke into her Paris apartment through a first story window after her partner left to go to work on 7 August.

After entering the house, the newspaper reports that one of the men allegedly raped the woman.

Police officers have since identified the rape suspect, who had reportedly been hanging out with a group of people below the window of the woman’s apartment.

An unnamed resident told the newspaper “unemployed youths” would gather outside the block of apartments, saying: “They are often noisy and intoxicated".

Another said: “Between the shouting, drugs and tension, it has become a lawless place. I have lived here for 23 years – I’ve never seen that.”

On one occasion, the pensioner had apparently asked the group to be quiet. Witnesses said the young men then reportedly responded with threats and promises to retaliate.

The arrested man was detained in the Parisian suburb of Kremlin-Bicetre and police are continuing to search for the remaining three men.