A brutal attack on a defenceless pensioner in his own home is being treated as attempted murder.
The 65-year-old man, who was repeatedly stabbed, was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and is in a serious condition.
The attack happened at a property on Lothian Street in Bathgate, West Lothian, at about 3.20am yesterday.
Police Scotland Detective Inspector Martin MacLean, said: "This was a cowardly, brutal attack on a defenceless, elderly man in his own home in the middle of the night.
"He was stabbed repeatedly and sustained life-threatening injuries.
"My team and I are keeping an open mind on the motive for this attack and whilst items of property would appear to have been stolen, this is an attempted murder investigation."
He urged anyone in the community who was in the area at the time and witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.
He added: "In particular we interested in speaking to or identifying two men who may have been seen together in the area, both white, about 5ft 10ins, aged 20 years to 40, one wearing a blue hoody, the other a grey hoody, both possibly wearing jogging bottoms."
Chief Inspector Paul Cameron, local area commander for West Lothian, said: "I would like to reassure the community that we are doing everything possible to identify the persons responsible for this incident, which is being treated as attempted murder.
"I have in place experts from across Police Scotland who are working tirelessly on this incident for our community.
"Additional local police officers are on patrol within your area and I would encourage you to speak to them if you have concerns or information that may assist the investigation team.'"
Police Scotland is appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has any information regarding the assault to contact 101 or phone the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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