An 82-year-old woman was stabbed nine times in an apparently random street attack yesterday as she shopped in northwest London.

Ann Driscoll, who is 5ft 2in, was walking home in bright sunshine with three bags of shopping when she was brutally attacked just before 3pm in Harlesden. She was found covered in blood as she tried to stagger back to her house with multiple stab wounds to her stomach and neck.

Police do not believe anything was stolen and said they were keeping an open mind over why she was targeted. Officers believe the knifeman may have been stalking the area before the seemingly motiveless attack took place.

Mrs Driscoll, who is described as petite, was today recovering in a hospital in Central London where she is said to be in a stable condition.

She was discovered by a member of the public in Fortune Gate Road at 2.55pm, a few yards from her home, which she shared with her husband Cornelius.

The suspected attacker is described as a white man aged between 30 and 45, approximately 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in tall with brown hair. He was wearing brown clothing.

Police officers have appealed for anyone who saw the victim in Harlesden High Street, or the surrounding roads, to come forward. Officers said she was wearing a beige skirt, off-white blouse, a linen jacket and grey shoes. She was carrying two Tesco bags and a green Marks and Spencer’s bag.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “An investigation is under way after a pensioner was stabbed in Harlesden. Detectives from the Brent violent crime unit are investigating and at this early stage retain an open mind on the circumstances of the assault.”

“The investigation is in its early stages and enquiries are on-going to fully establish the victims movements on the day. If you believe you have any information about this assault, or saw the assault take place, I would urge you to ring police and speak to us in confidence.”

Mrs Dricsoll was taken to hospital by ambulance after two crews of paramedics, one in a helicopter, attended the scene.

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