71-year-old woman assaulted in Sydney home

A woman who allegedly forced her way into a Sydney unit and threatened the 71-year-old occupant with a knife before assaulting her has been arrested and charged .

Police say the alleged assailant also destroyed property in the unit at Little Bay in Sydney's southeast during that attack at around 5pm on Wednesday.

Neighbours contacted police and when officers arrived the woman ran off but was arrested a short distance away.

The victim was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with minor injuries.

A 32-year-old woman has been charged with aggravated break and enter and being armed with intent to commit a serious indictable offence and was refused bail to appear in Waverley Local Court on Thursday.