A JEWELLERY robber left an 83-year-old man needing hospital treatment after raiding his Bradford house.

Detectives last night said the pensioner', who suffered a cut head, had undergone a "terrifying ordeal".

They said the robber forced the elderly man to lie down and keep quiet while his home in Duckworth Lane was searched.

The raid happened close to Bradford Royal Infirmary when the 6ft tall athletically-built man forced his way into the house and demanded jewellery.

Initially, there was an altercation before the pensioner was forced to the ground. He suffered a cut to his head during the incident which needed hospital treatment.

Councillor Imran Hussain (Lab, Toller), deputy leader of Bradford Council and portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said: "This is the most cowardly of attacks on a vulnerable, and senior, citizen.

"I urge anybody that has seen anything to come forward and co-operate fully with the police. I know the police are taking this matter extremely seriously.

"Those responsible for this cowardly attack will face the full force of the law."

Cllr Hussain said the incident sounded similar to robberies of Asian gold that had happened in previous years across Bradford.

"It fits the kind of bill for that," he said. They tie people up and threaten them. They normally do it when a vulnerable woman or elderly person is in."

Detective Inspector Neil Benstead, of Bradford District CID, said: "This must have been a terrifying ordeal for the elderly victim, who was alone in the house at the time.

"It is believed that the man who forced his way into the property was accompanied by another suspect, so we would appeal to anyone who may have seen two males acting suspiciously in the Duckworth Lane area in the time leading up to, or shortly after the incident."

The man who forced his way into the property was white, about 6ft tall and of athletic build. He was believed to be aged between 30 and 35 years and was wearing a dark hat and a dark top.

Police said a quantity of jewellery was stolen although the precise details had yet to be ascertained.

People living in Duckworth Lane near the scene were shocked when told what had happened. One said: "It isn't nice to hear about something like that happening so near to where you live."

Another added: "That is scary. I hope he is okay."

One man said: "I have not heard or seen anything but it is a shock to hear about it."

Anyone with any information on the robbery, which occurred at about 7.45pm on Tuesday, is asked to contact Bradford District CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.