Woman, 90, punched in face by boy in Deal, Kent

A boy as young as 12 punched a 90-year-old woman in the face after she refused to hand over money when he rang her doorbell.

The pensioner was attacked on the doorstep of her home in Ripple near Deal at around midnight on Thursday.

Kent Police said the boy was aged between 12 and 14 and ran off towards Chapel Lane.

A spokesman said: "Fortunately the lady was not seriously injured but has been shaken up by the incident."

Ch Insp Ken Elmes, Dover's district commander, said: "No doubt everybody will share my shock and anger at what has happened to this lady, but thankfully incidents of this nature are extremely rare.

"It is important this individual is found as quickly as possible."

Ch Insp Elmes appealed for information and asked for residents who have private CCTV cameras in the area to come forward.