AN ELDERLY couple have been injured in a brutal robbery in a quiet residential street.

The man in his 80s on a mobility scooter and the woman in her 70s were attacked in broad daylight as they walked along Stalbridge Road near the junction with Hazelbury Road in Creekmoor.

The incident took place at 11.30am on Wednesday and the woman is believed to have suffered a broken arm when she was pushed over and her handbag snatched.

It is alleged the elderly man was pushed to the ground from his mobility scooter by the offender, who ran off into Hazelbury Road.

The handbag contained bank cards and a small amount of change.

DC Will Burnett of Bournemouth and Poole CID said: “This is a despicable crime and I am keen to speak to anyone who may know something, as soon as possible.

“It was broad daylight at the time and someone may have witnessed the incident or seen the offender run¬ ning away.

“I urge witnesses or anyone with information to speak with the police in the strictest confidence.”

The incident was described as “abhorrent” by Cllr Judy Butt, who said all three Creekmoor ward council¬ lors on Borough of Poole had been deeply shocked.

“It’s absolutely horrendous,” she said. “It’s not the sort of thing we expect to happen in Creekmoor, an attack on the most vulnerable in our society, on elder¬ ly and disabled people.”

Some residents of the quiet streets, lined with chalet bungalows, saw the police cars and helicopter hover¬ ing overhead but had no idea what had taken place.

“It’s mostly elderly people who live along here,” said one resident.

Witnesses and anyone with any information can call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 27:149 or free and anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

*A 38-year-old man of no fixed address has been arrested in connection with the robbery and is helping police with their enquiries.