Frightened elderly residents at a Bradford care home are being given reassurance by police officers and nursing staff, following a vicious attack on a 94-year-old woman.

The victim last night remained in hospital after suffering severe head injuries in the aggravated burglary at Rosewood Court, in Shakespeare Close, Barkerend, on Friday night.

The pensioner, who has not been named, was attacked in the bathroom after an intruder broke in through a window at her ground-floor flat.

Detective Superintendent Dick Nuttall, who is leading the police investigation, described it as an “appalling attack on a frail and defenceless lady”.

The woman was yesterday said to be in a stable condition at Bradford Royal Infirmary, where she has been receiving treatment.

Cupboards and drawers in the flat were ransacked and detectives are trying to establish whether anything was stolen.

Forensic examinations were yesterday continuing at the scene, which has been cordoned off with a police tent, with part of the access road to the home also sealed off.

Door-to-door inquiries are to be expanded over the next few days.

Neighbourhood policing team officers were on patrol to give reassurance to local residents, including those living at the home and their families.

Det Supt Nuttall said: “Officers are working to reassure residents, relatives and staff in the care home.”

Detectives are working closely with the care home, with part of the investigation focusing on how the intruder got in and how he was able to commit the offence.

Police believe there was only one intruder, though they have not ruled out the possibility there were more.

The victim has not been fit enough to provide officers with a description of her attacker.

The company which runs the home, Southern Cross Healthcare, has also pledged to investigate what happened.

A spokesman for the company said: “We will be carrying out our own internal investigation, once the police investigation has been completed.

“Our investigation will involve how the incident happened and how the person got in.”

Police have urged anyone who saw any suspicious activity around Shakespeare Close on Friday night, or has any information which could help, to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET), on (01924) 334681, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Staff found the injured woman at 10.30pm on Friday, but it is believed she was attacked between 9.30pm and 10pm.