Elderly woman dies after collapsing during burglary at London home

An elderly woman has passed away after her house was raided in London.

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 she was in a critical condition and unfortunately passed away the following day

The metropolitan police said a woman called 999 on tuesday to report the burglary. The two suspects had forced their way into her house in Bells Hill, Barnet.

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

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.

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.