By . Lizzie Edmonds . A 90-year-old woman has been dragged off the street and raped, police confirmed today. The attack happened in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, as the pensioner walked to a local shop. The victim felt a hand go over her mouth and she was hauled backwards in Spotland Road at about 6.45am yesterday, police said. She then lost consciousness - waking up on the floor of the street some time later. She walked to an nearby butchers and raised the alarm. Greater Manchester Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen the victim, and potentially the offender. Scroll down for video . A 90-year-old woman was dragged along Spotland Road in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, before being raped. Police said she was walking to the local shops when the assault took place . Another view of Spotland Road where the attack happened. The woman loss consciousness during the vile attack - waking up on the street before making her way to a butchers to raise the alarm . The pensioner is white and wore a white summer dress with a flower print and a cardigan. Due to the nature of the attack, the only description of the offender is that he was white. Superintendent Alistair Mallen said: 'I am sure the entire community will share our revulsion at this. 'The victim has been through an horrific ordeal and we are all hoping she can make a full recovery. 'She is now being supported by experienced officers and we are doing everything possible to reassure her that we will catch the man responsible. 'This kind of attack is thankfully so rare that it will naturally cause a huge amount of concern in the community. 'I now want people, including the criminal fraternity, to imagine if that had been your mum or grandma. 'I want to harness these feelings and use them to help the police do their job - catch this man and put him before the courts.' Simon Danczuk, Labour MP for Rochdale, said there was 'a real sense of shock and horror' in the community over the attack. Greater Manchester police today appealed for anyone with information to come forward following the attack (location pictured). A spokesman said today: 'I am sure the entire community will share our revulsion at this' He said: 'Local people are struggling to comprehend how anyone could do this. Our heart goes out to this poor woman. She must have gone through hell. 'There is a real sense of shock and horror in the community and the police need to do everything possible to catch this sick individual. But they need the help of the community and people must stand up and be counted. 'Someone somewhere will know something that can help the police and I would urge them to search their conscience and come forward to pass that information on. 'Sexual abuse has left painful scars on our town in recent years and we are determined to confront this crime and make sure anyone connected to this type of activity is jailed. 'There is a huge amount of anger across the town and we need to unite to help ensure that criminals like this have no place to hide. Anyone with even a glimmer of suspicion should contact the police immediately.' Anyone with information should call police in Rochdale on 0161 856 8470/8420 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
90-year-old victim dragged off the street and raped, police have confirmed .
Victim was walking to shops in Rochdale, Manchester, when approached .
Attacker put a hand over pensioner's mouth and hauled her backwards .
She was then assaulted on Spotland Road in the town, officers said .
Simon Danczuk, Labour MP for Rochdale, said there was 'a real sense of shock and horror' following brutal attack .
Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward .
By . Lizzie Edmonds . A 90-year-old woman has been dragged off the street and raped, police confirmed today. The attack happened in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, as the pensioner walked to a local shop. The victim felt a hand go over her mouth and she was hauled backwards in Spotland Road at about 6.45am yesterday, police said. She then lost consciousness - waking up on the floor of the street some time later. She walked to an nearby butchers and raised the alarm. Greater Manchester Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen the victim, and potentially the offender. Scroll down for video . A 90-year-old woman was dragged along Spotland Road in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, before being raped. Police said she was walking to the local shops when the assault took place . Another view of Spotland Road where the attack happened. The woman loss consciousness during the vile attack - waking up on the street before making her way to a butchers to raise the alarm . The pensioner is white and wore a white summer dress with a flower print and a cardigan. Due to the nature of the attack, the only description of the offender is that he was white. Superintendent Alistair Mallen said: 'I am sure the entire community will share our revulsion at this. 'The victim has been through an horrific ordeal and we are all hoping she can make a full recovery. 'She is now being supported by experienced officers and we are doing everything possible to reassure her that we will catch the man responsible. 'This kind of attack is thankfully so rare that it will naturally cause a huge amount of concern in the community. 'I now want people, including the criminal fraternity, to imagine if that had been your mum or grandma. 'I want to harness these feelings and use them to help the police do their job - catch this man and put him before the courts.' Simon Danczuk, Labour MP for Rochdale, said there was 'a real sense of shock and horror' in the community over the attack. Greater Manchester police today appealed for anyone with information to come forward following the attack (location pictured). A spokesman said today: 'I am sure the entire community will share our revulsion at this' He said: 'Local people are struggling to comprehend how anyone could do this. Our heart goes out to this poor woman. She must have gone through hell. 'There is a real sense of shock and horror in the community and the police need to do everything possible to catch this sick individual. But they need the help of the community and people must stand up and be counted. 'Someone somewhere will know something that can help the police and I would urge them to search their conscience and come forward to pass that information on. 'Sexual abuse has left painful scars on our town in recent years and we are determined to confront this crime and make sure anyone connected to this type of activity is jailed. 'There is a huge amount of anger across the town and we need to unite to help ensure that criminals like this have no place to hide. Anyone with even a glimmer of suspicion should contact the police immediately.' Anyone with information should call police in Rochdale on 0161 856 8470/8420 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
dragged off the street and raped, police local shop. The victim felt a hand go over her mouth and she was hauled backwards in Spotland woman was dragged along Spotland Road in Police said she was walking to the local shops courts.' Simon Danczuk, Labour MP for Rochdale, said there was 'a real sense of shock and horror' Manchester police today appealed for anyone with information to come forward following the attack