A hunt is underway to find a "deplorable thug" who left a defenceless 87-year-old woman with injuries so bad she can't sleep from the pain.
Metropolitan Police have released a horrific image of the woman's broken arm, in a sling and dark purple from the bruising after she was robbed in Streatham, south London.
Describing the attack, the elderly woman said she felt a "mighty blow" from behind that knocked her off her feet and onto the ground.
Police are appealing to find the vicious thief who robbed the woman and have released CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to in connection with the offence.
The incident happened at about 11.30am on March 16 after the woman had been shopping.
She was preparing to visit family later that day and had been buying flowers and Prosecco for the occasion.
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On the day of the robbery, the victim had met with a friend, another elderly lady, and the two of them walked home together.
They then parted ways when the friend reached her house, and the victim continued walking, carrying her black handbag with the straps over her right forearm.
The victim later told police she then felt a ‘mighty blow’ from behind that knocked her off her feet and onto the ground.
While she was on the floor, she glimpsed a male running away from her.
He was slim, dressed in black trousers and wore a black jacket with the hood up, police say.
The woman tried to get up but realised that she could not as she was in so much pain from her right arm.
She then noticed her handbag was missing and screamed for help.
Her cries alerted a member of the public who came out of his home and helped her.
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Police and the London Ambulance Service were called and the victim was treated at hospital, where her right arm was found to be broken and she needed stitches to her right hand.
Shortly after the theft, a number of transactions were made using her stolen cards at nearby shops.
Police have released CCTV footage of the person using these cards in an attempt to trace him.
The handbag was later recovered by police in a nearby street.
Detective Constable Caroline Benjamin said: “This was a horrible and cynical attack on a vulnerable and defenceless woman.
“The victim is now too scared to walk around on her own and was left unable to sleep in her bed due to the pain of her injuries.
“She prides herself on being a person who looks after other people, but she now has to rely on others to bring her meals and help her with her affairs.
“No one should ever be left feeling frightened to walk out in their own community. I am sure bringing the person responsible to justice will help allay her trauma.
“This deplorable thug needs to be brought to justice as soon as possible and I am appealing to the public to help.
“I would ask anyone who recognises the suspect, saw the events leading up to the robbery, or saw the suspect later in the shops, to call police immediately.”
Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 3130/16MAR.
To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
