AN ELDERLY couple remain in hospital this morning following a robbery at a Hextable sheltered housing community while neighbours speak out over safety concerns.

Paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance called Kent Police officers to Panters at 9am yesterday (October 15) after finding the couple injured.

Today police say the couple, who are in their 80s, are in a non life-threatening condition.

News Shopper: Police at the scene in Hextable.

An urgent police appeal has now been published in a bid to trace a man who was spotted in the area at the time of the burglary.

Officers have released an e-fit of a man they wish to urgently speak with and say door to door enquiries are continuing in the Hextable area today.

No arrests have so far been made.

Witnesses describe him as a white man wearing a grey or dark-coloured hooded top and blue jeans.

Ron Day, has lived at Panters for seven years and is chairman of the social committee.

The 80-year-old-said said: “I wasn’t here at the time but apparently their neighbour went in while the intruders were still there.

“The couple who’d been attacked were lying on the floor, I think there were a lot of broken bones.

“We’re having a security meeting today with West Kent Housing Association because I think the security needs to be improved.

"We do not feel safe.”

A woman, who did not want to be named, said: “Apparently the crime scene was full of blood.

“The couple were struck on the head by these two guys in their 20s who then took loads of things.

News Shopper: Police at the scene in Hextable.

“A neighbour heard something and went round and found them on the floor.

“We want to make people aware of what’s going on – my mother-in-law lives round there so we went straight down there when we heard.”

Another 86-year-old neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "The first thing I knew about it was when I looked downstairs and saw two people being carried out on a stretcher."

It remains unclear what items were stolen from the couple’s home and officers remain at the scene.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing up to nine police cars, as well as ambulances, outside an address.

The police helicopter was also seen to be scouring the area from the sky.

A West Kent Housing Association spokesman said: "We are extremely shocked by what has happened and our primary concern is the welfare of the residents involved.

"Our staff were on site yesterday and again today to reassure the other residents. We will review any actions that they, we and the police can take in the future."

South East Coast Ambulance service confirmed they sent two ambulances to a private address in Panters but the incident is being dealt with by Kent Police.

Witnesses can contact officers on 101 quoting Operation Retail or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.