A WOMAN was subjected to a 'violent attack' after a man armed with a gun appeared on her doorstep.

Officers were called to Grasmere Avenue in Blackburn at 11.10pm on Saturday.

Police said a man had knocked on the door and when the occupant - a woman in her 60s - answered, he was holding what is described as a small hand gun.

The woman was hit with the weapon which resulted in a broken wrist and she was taken to hospital.

The man took a set of car keys and stole a black Citroen C3 with a registration PO63 XHA from the drive.

Lancashire Telegraph:

It is believed the man ran off towards the Hare and Hounds pub.

He is described as Asian, around 5ft 8in to 6ft tall and of slim build with dark patchy facial hair and was wearing a dark coloured tracksuit with the hood up and his face was partially covered.

One resident of Grasmere Avenue, who did not wish to be named, said: "This is a really quiet area and you don't usually see or hear anything around here.

"We didn't hear anything last night and if we had we would've come out.

"We didn't realise the person had a weapon until now. We knew that the car had gone missing but knowing that a gun was involved has just shocked us.

"The lady is a nice lady who keeps herself to herself; everyone is like that round here. We keep an eye out for each other but it's so quiet that you don't usually have to.

"I don't have CCTV but I think I'll be getting it installed after this."

Another resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, said nothing like this had ever happened in their street before. 

They said: "It's shocked us a lot. It's just unbelievable."

Detective sergeant Darren Irving said: “This has been a violent attack on a woman in her own home.

"She suffered a serious injury to her wrist and is understandably very shaken up.

“We are committed to finding who is responsible.

"If you have any information or were in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious, please get in touch as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to email 771@lancashire.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting log number 1952 of April 20.