Horror as men smash into pensioner's home on Christmas Eve and ransack it in front of her

Three men forced their way into the home of a pensioner who was celebrating her birthday on Christmas Eve and ransacked it in front of her.

The woman, who was celebrating her 77th birthday on Sunday (December 24), was watching TV at around 6pm when she heard a loud bang as three men smashed their way through the rear patio doors of her house on Saxon Street, off Bradford Road in Miles Platting, north east Manchester.

As she went to investigate she was confronted by the intruders, one of whom ordered her to stay with him in the kitchen as the other ran into the house.

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They spent around five minutes searching the property and snatched the terrified victim's handbag containing £50 in cash, her bank card, bus pass, and various personal items, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

They then fled with the woman immediately alerting police. A manhunt is now underway with GMP issuing an appeal for footage or information which may help their enquiry.

The culprits are described as wearing all-black, including black hats. The individual who stood with the victim during the ordeal was estimated to be around 6 feet tall, wearing a black hat, jacket, trousers, and gloves.

Detective Sergeant Terina Arthern, of GMP’s North Manchester Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “Of course, this incident will rightly cause concern in the local community and our thoughts remain with the victim and her loved ones as she continues to recover from this ordeal.

"Understandably, the victim, who is also an elderly woman, is now terrified and fearful within her