Man held for attacking and robbing two elderly women in Leeds

Officers, with the support of the force helicopter, arrested a 33-year-old man in a planned operation close to the Dib Lane junction with Easterly Road (A58).

He was arrested in connection with two aggravated burglaries; the first of which occurred when an 86-year-old woman was assaulted in her home on Pendas Walk in the Cross Gates area of the city.

She remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

After the second incident police were called to reports of burglary and fire at a property on Oakwood Park, Leeds.

A suspect is alleged to have entered the property and assaulted the 78-year-old female occupant before setting fire to the house and leaving the victim inside the property.

The 78-year-old was able to escape from the house and raise the alarm. She was treated in hospital for minor injuries and has subsequently been discharged.

Police are carrying out high visibility patrols in the areas where these incidents have taken place to offer reassurance to members of the public.

The 33-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of two counts of aggravated burglary.