"Police investigating fire in Ranui"

Police are investigating after a fire was deliberately lit and a window smashed at an elderly woman’s address in Ranui, West Auckland.

At approximately 10pm on Sunday 7 January 2018, four teenagers, three females and a male, all estimated to be aged around 14 – 18 years of age knocked on the 88-year-old victim’s door and asked for a drink of water which she kindly provided.

Shortly after, they came back again however the victim asked them to leave.

Two of the females reacted by smashing one of her windows before leaving the address.

The victim called a neighbour and placed a couch up against the window to secure it overnight.

The victim went to bed but was woken by a smoke alarm, and her couch fully ablaze.

Luckily, she was not injured and Fire Service arrived and contained the fire.

Detective Senior Sergeant Roger Small says police are following positive lines of enquiry but are still asking for assistance from our community.

“This is an absolutely appalling crime.

An innocent elderly victim was targeted in her own home, a place where she should have been able to be safe and feel safe.”

“We want to remind our elderly community that they can call us if they are in a situation where they feel unsafe.

Often our elderly community feel like they may be wasting police time or being a bother by ringing us, but we are here for them when they need us and we encourage them not to hesitate to call us,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Small.

“We know the Ranui community will be as horrified as we are by this incident and so we urge anyone with information to call Police as soon as possible.”

Age Concern Auckland CEO, Kevin Lamb says unfortunately, older Aucklanders are often targeted; “it is an unfortunate reminder for us all to regularly check on our neighbours, friends and family, and to call the emergency services without hesitation”.

Anyone with information can contact Waitakere Police Station 09 839 0600 or alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also send us a private message on Facebook.

ENDS

© Scoop Media