By News Editor Declan Wilkes 12.55 GMT

Cops investigating a violent attack on an 89-year-old man in Bromley have released an e-fit image of a man they want to trace.

The attack happened in the victim's home in Walpole Road on 4 December around 8:00pm after he opened the door to a man claiming to be a police officer. As the victim opened the door, two men barged past him and began to threaten him and ask for money.

He gave them the money in his pocket but they kept shouting at him for more money. The victim was slow to respond and the suspects began to hit him in the face whilst continuing to shout and threaten him.

The victim has a series of injuries to the head, including two black eyes, a swollen nose and swollen ear.

'We'll be watching you'

One of them pulled the telephone line out of the wall and they ransacked the rest of the house, finding more cash as they did so. Eventually they left the house, warning the victim that they would be monitoring him.

He managed to call police from a neighbour's house and was taken to hospital where he was kept in for observation.

Description

The suspects are described as two white men. One of them is described as possibly between 30 and 35 years, about 5'7" and of stocky build. He had black hair and wore a blue tunic over blue cord trousers.

The other suspect  - shown in the e-fit image above - is described as between 30 and 35 years, about 5'10" and of muscular appearance. He had prominent facial features, of a chiselled appearance and light brown to blond hair. He wore a smart grey suit.

The incident is being investigated by Bromley CID.

DI Alex Phipp said:

"We are all horrified by the details of this dreadful and completely unwarranted attack. The victim was understandably frightened by their shouting and their threats, as anyone of any age would be.

"They then began to hit him because he was responding slowly which is one of the most heartless things I have heard.

"Unfortunately, we often hear of vulnerable victims being robbed and threatened in their own homes by people pretending to be police officers. We need to repeat the message that a genuine police officer would normally call by appointment. He or she would certainly show their ID before gaining entry and allow time for details to be checked."

Anyone who thinks they may know the suspect in the image, or thinks they may have any information concerning the robbery, should call police in Bromley on 020 8284 9969 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.