AN elderly woman has been injured during an attempted burglary.

The victim, aged 87, suffered a head injury when she was confronted by a man in her home on Victoria Court, off Leeman Road, in York at about 11am today. (Wednesday, January 1)

Her son, who had gone out to buy a newspaper, arrived back in time to tackle the man who fled the scene and cycled off, turning left out of Victoria Court.

The pensioner was taken to York District Hospital as a precaution.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and saw anything suspicious to contact them with information as soon as possible.

The man is described as white, aged in his late 20s, around 5ft 9in tall with a stocky build, a clean-shaven round face and small teeth.

He was wearing a grey hooded-top, dark bottoms and had a scarf around his head. He spoke with an eastern European accent and was riding an old style light-coloured bicycle.

Detective Inspector Shaun Page of North Yorkshire Police said: “We urgently need to trace this man and I would appeal to anyone who saw anyone matching his description in the area either before or after the incident to get in touch with the police straight away.”

Nothing was stolen in the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 1 – and pass information to the force control room, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.