‘Opportunistic and cowardly attack’: Thieves ransack pensioner’s handbag during Urmston robbery

By Helen Le Caplain

Thieves rifled through a pensioner's handbag during a robbery in Urmston last Tuesday.

Sometime between 2pm and 2.15pm, on August 7, the 66-year-old woman was looking through a clothing rail outside `Tags and Label' on Railway Road, when two women approached.

One woman grabbed her throat while the other went through her handbag, stealing her purse containing cash, bank cards and a mobile phone.

The victim, who has difficulty walking, was walking with the aid of a trolley basket at the time of the attack.

One offender is described as white, between 30 and 40 years old, 5ft 2in tall, of medium to stocky build with short curly hair with ginger streaks on top.

She was wearing a leather jacket and `bum bag'.

The second offender is described as white, between 18 and 20 years old, with long natural red hair of slim build and with a pale face.

She was wearing a white t-shirt and both spoke with a Liverpool accent.

Police Constable Mark Hetherington, of the Robbery Unit at Stretford, said: "This offence occurred on a busy street in broad daylight and I am certain someone will have seen something or know who these women are.

"The location is near to the market, which was open all day and attracts a lot of visitors so I would urge anyone who has any information, regardless of whether or not you think it is important or relevant, to call me.

"This was an opportunistic and cowardly attack on a lone, vulnerable woman and any information that might help us identify these women would be most welcome."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 7553 or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

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