Police in South Manchester are on red alert after a spate of handbag robberies in Northenden has left three women ‘distressed’ and in ‘anguish’.
Three separate reports have been made since January 17 and the similar nature of the robberies has led police to suspect that they are linked.
The first incident involved a 52-year-old woman who was alone on Palatine Road near Northenden Village at about 8.40pm on January 17.
The woman tried to resist after feeling someone pulling on her bag but the crook produced a Stanley knife and cut the strap of the bag before running off towards the M56.
Detective Constable Matthew Gilmour has said: “What is for certain is that three women have been targeted while they have been on their own and all three have suffered a great deal of distress and anguish as a result of being robbed.
“Given the close proximity of each offence and the very similar nature of each crime, we believe the same offender may be responsible for each of these thefts.”
The second robbery happened on the same road, this time nearer Greenpark Road. The woman, 34, had her handbag stolen at about 6pm on January 23.
The final reported robbery was by a 29-year-old woman who was waiting alone at a bus stop, again on Palatine Road near to the junction with Moor End. This was at about 6.35pm on January 24.
The offender in the first incident is white, about 5ft 11in tall, of a medium build and wearing a plain grey hooded jumper.
In final robbery the offender was white, 15-16-years-old, 5ft 3in to 5ft 4in tall, of a skinny build, pale faced and with a bony chin. He was wearing an Adidas top with white stripes down the sleeve and black trousers.
While running away towards the Northenden Village, the thief was joined by a second man, described as being of mixed race, 18-20-years-old, of a skinny build with some facial hair and wearing a black jacket with a hood.
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4882 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook
