BOURNEMOUTH residents have expressed their shock and dismay after two men forced their way into an elderly woman’s home and robbed her.

Detectives have released CCTV images of two suspects wanted in connection with the distraction burglary at an address in Jewell Road.

The men asked the woman, aged in her 90s, to retrieve their football from the back of her property. One of the men then forced his way into the victim’s house, causing her to fall to the floor.

She suffered bruising on her arm and below her eye.

The man then demanded money before stealing cash and her navy blue handbag containing a black purse and a bank card. The pair then left the property.

The incident happened at around 1.35pm on Monday, May 2, 2016.

A resident of Jewell Road, who wished to stay anonymous, said she was “shocked” to hear what had happened but added there had been a number of similar incidents in the area recently.

“Someone tried to come into our house not too long ago. They used our bins to jump over our wall and tried to force their way in during the night – fortunately, they weren’t able to.

“We’ve lived here for 10 or 11 years, and it’s the first time I’ve noticed things like this happening in the area. It makes me feel a little bit uneasy.

“On the plus side, knowing this has been going on means we can be more vigilant now,” she added.

Former resident Hazel Wheatcroft was visiting the area when she heard about the incident. She said: “It’s just horrific. How can people do that to someone, especially an older and more vulnerable person? There’s no excuse for it.”

Detective Constable Scott Brimicombe, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This was a despicable crime on an elderly woman in her own home, which has understandably left her shaken and upset.

“Anyone who has any information about the incident or who may have seen two men in the area acting suspiciously should contact me on 101.”