Palmerston North police are urging elderly people to take precautions if they're home alone, after a 71-year-old woman was attacked in her house last night.
The woman was sexually assaulted by the intruder in her home in a "brazen" attack at 6pm.
Detective Sergeant Gary Milligan said the attack had left the woman shaken.
"Naturally she is distressed and shaken up about the incident, but she was able to give attending police an initial account of what had happened.
"I have been in touch with her this morning - she is safe and with a friend at the moment. She will be formally interviewed in the near future so more details can be obtained.
"Our area inquiries are ongoing and we want to speak to anyone that saw any suspicious activity in the area of Church Street yesterday evening between 5.30pm to 6.30pm."
He said police always advised elderly people to take care when home alone.
"It will be too early to say if there is any cause for alarm for the public, but we're certainly interested in anyone who has seen any suspicious activity or persons in the area."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (06) 351 3781. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
