Care home security fears.

Care home security has been highlighted after an elderly care worker was stabbed in the arm with a penknife by an intruder who forced his way into a West Yorkshire residential home.

Police say that the 67-year-old woman was in the kitchen area of The Beeches, Castleford, making breakfast for residents, when she heard a sound at the back door at about 6.30am.

The woman, Mrs Christine Pygott, a grandmother, opened the door to investigate and was confronted by a man who pushed his way in and punched her, before stabbing her in the arm. He then fled the scene when colleagues came to help.

Mrs Pygott, who has worked at the home for 19 years, was taken to hospital where her injuries were described as “non-life threatening.”

West Yorkshire Police say the attack at The Beeches is being linked to an incident at a nearby residential home where, about 20 minutes earlier, a member of staff confronted two men, described as Asian, on the property.  They made excuses before leaving.

The intruder in the incident at The Beeches is described as mixed race, about 30 years old, 5ft 7ins, and of medium build, wearing a body warmer and jeans.

Supt Karen Gayles said: "Due to both properties being care homes and their vicinity to one another, we are linking these incidents.

"It is particularly worrying that these men appear to be targeting the homes of elderly and vulnerable people and their motives for doing this are currently unclear.

"We are treating these incidents extremely seriously. We have put on additional patrols in the area and are working tirelessly to identify these two men."