Furious neighbours of an elderly woman attacked in her home chased three masked raiders from the scene after they heard the victim scream for help, it was revealed yesterday.

One woman from nearby Turkey Hill, St George, said: “Half of us are scared and the other half are angry.

“Everybody was out, everybody was mad. She is like an auntie or a grandmother to people here.”

The woman, who arrived home on Monday night and saw the elderly neighbour, who lives in Queen Street, driven away in an ambulance, said residents had chased the three men and some had followed them in cars.

Police said the attackers who were dressed in black and masked, fled along Chapel Lane to a car after they ran from the senior’s home.

The woman resident said disgusted neighbours wanted to meet police and set up a neighbourhood watch scheme.

The woman resident said feelings were running high in a neighbourhood keen to welcome tourists, with bed and breakfasts close to the scene of the attack.

She added: “St George’s is just getting on its feet. We don’t need this.

“We’re at our wit’s end, all angry and watching our for the elderly.

“That poor woman could have had a heart attack or a stroke. It was heard all the way up the street.”

She added that she planned to set up security cameras around her home.

A woman down the street, who has lived in the area for more than 30 years, said the victim was “beside herself”.

She added: “We stick together around here.

“I’ve never heard of a thing like this here. It’s really sad. You wonder what’s wrong with people.”

The news came as a group of 26 businesses in St George’s penned a joint message, seen by The Royal Gazette.

The letter said: “As a business community we are shocked by the events of last night.

“We have all lovingly invested time, effort and money into St George’s because we believe it is an integral part of Bermuda’s past, present and future.”

The message added: “The last year has been especially difficult with Covid and a sharp decline in tourism.

“We have been actively working on creating a beautiful, thriving town for business, locals and visitors alike.”

The group said: “We will continue to work with, and call on, partners like the Bermuda Police Service, the St George’s Corporation, the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Bermuda Economic Development Corporation to continue to have a successful and safe environment for all.”

George Dowling III, the Mayor of St George, said: " I am outraged and appalled by this incident in our town.

“The BPS are working diligently to solve this crime. I encourage any witnesses to please come forward so that those responsible are brought to justice.”

Mr Dowling added: “I wish the lady a speedy recovery. "

Alfonso Harris, a councillor on the Corporation of St George, said his wife heard the commotion from their home on Chapel Lane.

Mr Harris said: “We were lucky people in the community were there.

“They reacted, called the authorities, and got her emergency treatment.

“Everybody is surprised that somebody took advantage of her like that – we will be more vigilant, that’s for sure.”

Dennie O’Connor, the owner and managing director at the White Horse pub and restaurant, said it was time the Olde Towne had its own police station again.

He added: “It’s devastating to see these spikes in crime on our island.

“I’m in shock at the brazen nature of these attacks, especially in the traditionally quiet town of St George’s.”

Mr O’Connor said: “We need more policing, especially in the east, where we’ve been without a fully operational police station for far too long.

“I think it’s also important to note the power of raising children in the right environment and surrounding them with the right resources to keep them off the streets and away from detrimental behaviour.”

Renée Ming, the Minister of National Security, said she was “shocked and outraged” by the attack on a defenceless elderly woman.

She appealed to anyone with information that could help the police inquiry to come forward.

Ms Ming said: “This was an outrageous act committed against one of the vulnerable members of our population and we must see those responsible brought to justice.”

Anyone with information that could assist police should call 295-0011, 211, or the confidential and anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-8477.