Search for items in attempted murder investigation

Det Supt Mike Brown appealed to the public to contact them if they found items matching the description in the area

Officers are searching for two key items as part their investigation into an attempted murder after a woman suffered serious head injuries.

The woman, who was in her 50s, left home at about 05:00 BST on Wednesday, to walk her dog along Rectory Lane in Brantham, Suffolk.

An hour-and-a-half later she was found unconscious by a member of the public who called 999. The woman remains in hospital.

Det Supt Mike Brown, the head of the joint major investigations unit at Norfolk and Suffolk Police, has made an appeal to find a mobile phone and jacket which belonged to the victim.

Officers are carrying out forensic investigations at the scene

"There are some items that I would like to make an appeal for," he said.

"The first is a pink, long-sleeved jacket. This is a zip up through the front so an over top of some kind.

"We believe the victim was wearing that when they left to walk the dog at about 05:00 and at the moment we do not know where that is."

Det Supt Brown said the victim similarly had an iPhone on her at the time, which was missing.

However it was unclear at the moment what type of phone case it may potentially have on.

"What I would ask the public is that if they come across items that match the description in any way, shape or form that they give us a call," he added.

Suffolk Police said it is taking an open mindset to the investigation

Det Supt Brown said there was no information at this time to suggest the victim and offender were known to each other.

He added treating it as an attempted murder investigation allowed the force to draw from a wealth of resources in the investigation.

"Something as horrific as this does, of course, cause community concern," he explained.

"We are working tremendously hard to try and fully understand exactly what has happened here.

"We are keeping a very open mindset at the moment to try and work out how the injuries to the victim have occurred.

"For us to declare this as an attempted murder is a very significant step for us to take, but what it allows us to do is have a very open mindset towards the investigation."

'Very rare'

The force said it remained unclear as to how the victim sustained her injuries but they were supporting her family with specialist trained officers.

Her dog, a springer spaniel, was safe and well.

Officers remain at the scene and are undertaking forensic examinations as well as conducting house-to-house inquiries.

Det Supt Brown reassured the public incidents such as this were "very rare" but anyone concerned should contact the force.