Elderly woman, 87, dies in hospital five days after she was ‘randomly’ attacked from behind as man, 45, is held under the Mental Health Act
- Officers said Rosemary Hill was attacked from behind in Reigate, Surrey
- She was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after the attack at 5.40pm on Sunday
- A 45-year-old man from Reigate was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
- He was detained under the Mental Health Act and bailed and remains in hospital
An 87-year-old woman has died in hospital five days after she was assaulted last weekend.
Officers said Rosemary Hill was attacked from behind on Warren Road in Reigate, Surrey, at 5.40pm on Sunday.
She was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after what appeared ‘to be a random and unprovoked attack’.
A 45-year-old man from Reigate was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Surrey Police said Rosemary Hill was attacked from behind on Warren Road in Reigate, Surrey, at 5.40pm on Sunday (file photo)
He was later detained under the Mental Health Act and bailed. Surrey Police said he remains in hospital.
Police have appealed for witnesses who were in the area of Warren Road, Holmesdale Road, Alma Road and Wray Park Road with the junction of Alders Road between 4pm and 7pm on Sunday.
They said the investigation team wants to hear from anyone who has DashCam footage from those areas.
Reigate and Banstead borough commander Inspector Alex Maguire said: ‘We have a team of officers and detectives continuing to work hard to establish the circumstances of what appears to be a random and unprovoked attack.
Police have appealed for witnesses who were in the area of Warren Road, Holmesdale Road, Alma Road and Wray Park Road with the junction of Alders Road between 4pm and 7pm on Sunday (file photo)
‘Our officers are providing support to the victim’s family, I’d ask people to respect their privacy at this difficult time.
‘I would like to re-iterate that assaults of this nature are extremely rare in this area. We’re not linking this assault with any other similar reports and making an arrest has allowed us to progress our enquiries, which are continuing.
‘The Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to patrol the area over the coming days and any residents with any concerns can speak to one of these uniformed officers’.
Anyone who has information, including dash camera footage from those areas, is asked to contact the force on 101, quoting Operation Baritone.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.