Mugger of 75-year-old woman hunted

A COWARDLY would-be robber targeted a pensioner as she carried her shopping home.

The 75-year-old victim was grabbed from behind in Eric Street causing her to fall backwards and injure her elbow.

She screamed and clung on to her handbag and shopping bags and the man fled empty handed towards Clarksfield School.

He is described as white, aged in his late teens, of slim build and around 5ft 6in tall. He was wearing a black jacket.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack and are particularly keen to speak to two women who helped the victim to her feet and took her home in their car.

PC Rebecca Mercer, based at Oldham police station, said: “I believe those two women who helped out may have seen the offender as he ran away.

“The victim was clearly shaken at the time and did not get their names. All she knows is that they are Asian and aged in their 20s or 30s and they were with a child, who was in a car seat.

“It is vital they get in touch with us, but I’d also like to hear from anybody who may have seen anything that might help us find this would-be robber.”

Anyone with any information about the incident, which took place at 9.30am on Saturday, April 4, can call police on 0161-856 8971 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.