Police appeal to catch elderly womans's killers » Communities » 24dash.com

Detectives made an appeal to the criminal underworld today to help catch the men responsible for the murder of an elderly woman who died following a robbery in her home.

Margaret Hawkins was attacked by two men in her house in Charterhouse Road, Orpington, Kent, last Friday afternoon and died later in hospital.

The two men forced their way into the property and pushed Mrs Hawkins on to the sofa before making off with cash and personal belongings, police said.

A post-mortem examination carried out at the Princess Royal University Hospital revealed that Mrs Hawkins, who was in her 80s, died two days later as a direct result of the incident.

Scotland Yard today issued an e-fit of one suspect based on descriptions given by Mrs Hawkins before she died and other witnesses.

Police also released two computer drawings to help highlight the size of the two suspects.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Russell Taylor, leading the investigation, said: "Margaret's death is being treated as murder and my team is dedicated to bringing such contemptible people, who target vulnerable members of our society, to justice.

"The people who commit crimes targeting people like Margaret are likely to be known within the criminal circles, and I would appeal to this particular community to contact us with information."

Police also made an appeal to trace a red flatback van seen acting suspiciously in Charterhouse Road.

It was said to have been driving slowly past properties at around midday on the day Mrs Hawkins was robbed.

Mr Taylor added: "I ask people to look at the e-fit and to contact us if they recognise the person or if they were in the Charterhouse Road area on Friday."

The suspects are both white men aged between 25 and 40. One is described as of very heavy build, with cropped brown hair and a fringe, and the other of slim build, with brown hair.

Anyone with information on the attack is asked to call the incident room at Patrick Dunne House, Sutton, on 020 8721 4155 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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