7:00pm Wednesday 11th November 2009
By Darren Slade
AN ELDERLY woman was knocked to the ground and robbed of her handbag only a week after being widowed.
The attack on the 82-year-old has been described by police as “despicable”.
She had just collected her pension from Kinson post office and was walking home along Kitscroft Road into Dukes Coppice when the attack happened.
Detective Constable Ade Stocker, of Bournemouth & Poole CID, said: “The victim – whose husband only died last week – was walking towards Leybourne Avenue when she became aware that she was being followed.
“The despicable thief first engaged his frail victim in conversation and then pushed her to the ground with both hands before grabbing the black handbag from her shopping trolley. The brave victim tried to hold onto her bag but the thief wrenched it from her grip, causing an injury to one of her fingers.”
The woman made her way to a friend’s house where the police were called. The offender, a white man in his late teens, could not be found.
DC Stocker added: “I am very keen to speak with anyone who might have any information about this robbery, regardless of how insignificant they might feel the information is. I would urge them to come forward in confidence and call Bournemouth and Poole CID.”
Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 01202 222 222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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