What kind of scum preys on elderly women like this?

Bloodied and bruised Rose Gallagher is just one of 14 elderly victims who residents claim have been mugged in recent weeks around the same street in Undercliffe.

Last night a local councillor claimed many elderly people are so scared of being attacked that they are carrying Stanley knives in their handbags for protection.

Mrs Gallagher, a widow, today spoke from her hospital bed of her terror as she was punched and robbed in broad daylight. She was just yards from her home at Sycamore Court sheltered housing complex, Undercliffe, when the attack occurred.

She was left with a black eye, extensive bruising, a broken arm and unable to walk.

A shopping bag containing her purse and pension book was snatched.

Mrs Gallagher was one of five elderly women who were attacked in the space of four days in the Otley Road area of Undercliffe by youths attempting to seize their handbags. The total number of attacks is believed to be 14, but police say the incidents do not appear to be connected.

Mrs Gallagher is being treated at Bradford Royal Infirmary, but her son-in-law Graham Needham, a quantity surveyor, said he doubted she would ever recover from the horror of the attack.

Mr Needham, of Clifton, Brighouse, said she was still unable to walk eight days after the attack. She was attacked from behind near the sheltered complex off Otley Road at 9.45 am last Thursday.

"The family are absolutely devastated about this. They have taken away the bit of independence she enjoyed so much in the sheltered complex. Things will never be the same."

Mrs Gallagher, who has two grandchildren and two great grand children, told the Telegraph & Argus from her hospital bed: "It was a terrible shock because this lad came up on me from behind. I was hit and finished up on the ground. I was terrified. I was just going down to get my pension."

And last night, around 150 outraged residents attended a public meeting to demand action to curb the further attacks.

The Otley Road Tenants and Residents Association are trying to raise a 3,000 name petition demanding more police on the streets, the installation of CCTV cameras and a zero tolerance approach to offenders.

They are also planning a mass demonstration to be held outside City Hall at the next meeting of the full Council on Friday, October 22.

Residents believe the thieves are deliberately targeting the area because there are four old people's housing complexes close by to each other.

After the meeting, Councillor Intkhab Alam (Cons, Undercliffe) said: "I know people who were scared to even leave their own homes to come here tonight. Nobody should have to live through what these people are going through.

"Many elderly people are so frightened that they are putting Stanley knives in their handbags in case they are attacked.

"One woman I know will not leave her home without a rolling pin."

Terry Patton, of the association, had earlier told the meeting: "Gangs of youths are running this area, I know of 14 pensioners who have been attacked in just six weeks. It has got to stop.

"Many are afraid to come forward for fear of retribution."

Terry Rooney, MP for Bradford North, told residents: "It is scandalous when people are kicking and knocking about 90-year-old women.

"People are scared and are being driven out of this area and we are determined to do something about it."

A new community officer, PC Richard Scanlon, began work in the area last week, but families are calling for more police patrols in the area.

Inspector Dave Holdsworth, community safety officer, for Bradford North, urged people to report any information they had to the police. "The people responsible need to be caught," he said. "This level of robbery and theft is totally unacceptable."

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Constable Danny Bolton on (01274) 376493.

(Blob) Two youths, aged 16 and 17, were arrested in connection with the alleged incident involving Mrs Gallagher and have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.