Elderly woman robbed in Heywood

Date published: 08 February 2008


Robbers snatched a 79-year-old lady's bag as she was going to a dance class in Heywood.

At 8.30pm on Wednesday 6 February police were called to Bury Street following reports of the robbery.

The victim had been getting out of her car on Mason Street to go to her dance class. She was holding her handbag, and a black drawstring bag containing her dance shoes.

Two, possibly three, youths suddenly approached the woman and tried to grab her handbag.

She did not let go however, and was pulled to the floor. The youths managed to steal the bag containing her shoes before running away.

The victim was not seriously injured in the robbery, but has been left bruised and severely shaken by it.

The offenders are described as white, aged 16 or 17, and were wearing jeans and hooded tops.

Chief Inspector Lin Houldershaw said: "I am truly shocked at the callousness of these despicable thieves. It is very likely that they just dumped the bag they stole, and we'd like to appeal to people to look out for it, as it would be good to reunite the victim with her shoes.

"Its also possible that these pathetic people have bragged about what they did. I cannot imagine how anyone could know who did this robbery and not come forward and tell us. I urge you to do the right thing."

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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