Police have renewed their appeal for information about a violent robbery which landed a 98-year-old Second World War veteran “desperately ill” in hospital.

Emergency services were called on the morning of Tuesday November 6 after Peter Gouldstone was attacked in his own home, suffering severe injuries including two bleeds to the brain and extensive bruising on his body.

Officers returned to the scene of the attack in Enfield, north London, on Monday night in an effort to get people to come forward with information.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley from North Area CID, who is leading the investigation, said: “Mr Gouldstone remains desperately ill in hospital while those responsible for his injuries are walking around free.

“Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could provide a missing piece of the investigation. Someone knows who these people are and I urge those people to come forward.”

Mr Gouldstone is in a “critical but stable” condition, according to police.

A 26in Panasonic TV and “other personal possessions” belonging to Mr Gouldstone were stolen from the house, Scotland Yard said.

Mr Ridley added: “I particularly want to hear from people that may have been offered the Panasonic television that was stolen, or who saw either people or vehicles in the vicinity of Evesham Road, Enfield, that may have appeared out of place.”

A £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attack was offered by Crimestoppers on Thursday.

Mr Gouldstone has lived in his terraced house for more than 60 years.

His son, former civil servant Simon Gouldstone, 67, said on Wednesday: “As a member of the family I’m shocked, as a member of the human race I’m lost for words at man’s inhumanity to man, I’m afraid.”

He told reporters his father had worked on phone lines in Italy during the Second World War before going on to a career at the Post Office and retiring around 1980.