An elderly woman has been blinded in one eye in a savage daylight attack after she was ambushed in an alleyway.

The 75-year-old victim was hit with a blunt weapon as she walked to a friend’s home.

Police found the grandmother with serious head and facial injuries in the alley, between Radwell Drive and Buchan Towers, off Manchester Road, Bradford. She was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary for emergency treatment but surgeons were unable to save her right eye.

The woman, who has not been named by police, was in a serious but stable condition last night.

Detectives, who are appealing for witnesses, have been shocked by the incident, which happened at about 10.30am on Sunday.

Detective Inspector Steve Snow, of Bradford South CID, said: “It was an unprovoked and pre-meditated attack. The motive for the assault is unclear. The man has come upon the lady and, for no apparent reason, has attacked her. It seems that she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

He added: “She has been struck by a blunt weapon and has suffered serious head injuries and lost an eye.

“It was a nasty, vicious and cowardly attack on a vulnerable, elderly woman who was minding her own business and we would like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything of the incident, or perhaps came to the aid of the victim.”

The woman has four grown-up children and grandchildren. Members of her family has been left shocked by the attack and are keeping a vigil at her hospital bedside.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling heard about the attack during his visit to Bradford yesterday.

He said: “Things need turning round. It’s a society where you have some horrendous incidents. You have had a horrendous attack in Bradford today and we’ve had the tragic attack in Huddersfield recently.

“These are symptoms of a society that has become more violent than I would wish. It’s indicative of a climate we need to be worried about and need to address.”

Witnesses are urged to call police on 0845 6060606, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

* A 24-year-old Bradford man was today due to appear before Bradford magistrates, charged with attempted murder.