Lina* was gripped by fear every time the news bulletins reported robberies on elderly people but she never imagined that, one day, she herself would be the victim.

On Thursday at about 9am, the octogenarian returned to the Mosta home she shares with her 77-year-old brother to discover it had been ransacked.

Burglars broke into her small house, making off with about €5,000 in cash and a substantial amount of old jewellery – just about everything the elderly siblings owned.

“I feel terrified,” the 82-year-old trembled, as tears filled her eyes.

“I keep thinking how the burglars made their way into my home. They removed everything from my drawers. Everything was scattered all over the floor. It took me an entire day to slowly put everything back in place.”

Earlier that day, Lina was picked up by her cousin and a friend who took her to her hospital appointment.

Her brother had left for his farm, where he tended to a couple of chickens and rabbits he owned.

“My cousin dropped me off and I walked to my home. I didn’t even need to slide the key into the lock, the door just swung open. I caught a glimpse of the mess inside and shouted for my cousin to turn back.”

The police estimate that the burglary took place at about 8.30am.

The door bears a number of deep grooves, suggesting it was prised open with a crowbar.

“I listened all day to radio and television stations reporting the crime. I believe it might have instilled fear in other elderly people,”Lina said.

Fortunately, she is blessed with a strong support network. During the course of the interview, relatives popped in to check on her and comfort her.

A hint of a smile appeared on her face as her two-year-old relative hugged her. Yet, the girl had barely reached the yard than Lina’s eyes welled up again.

“I can’t sleep at night. I lie awake, listening out for any noises. I can’t rest.”

Lina felt that the intruders not only robbed her of her belongings, they robbed her of her peace of mind. Whereas before she used to leave the front door ajar while indoors, now she would not even dream of not bolting it. She no longer opens the door when someone knocks but peers cautiously from behind the curtain of her window.

“Our neighbours didn’t even suspect anything. It’s as if the robbers materialised into my house from thin air. What if they return? There isn’t anything left to take but you never know. I’m frail; they can do whatever they want with me.”

* Name has been changed to protect the person’s identity.

A group of elderly people expressed concern about their safety at a conference for pensioners organised by the General Workers’ Union last month.

The pensioners said they did not always feel safe at home and asked the Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly, Franco Mercieca, whether the Government planned to tackle the issue.

Mr Mercieca said he would soon be announcing “something that enhances security at home... and builds on the concept of the Telecare system”.