CCTV image of Nelson robbery suspect

The incident happened around 8pm on Friday near Pendle Wavelengths in Leeds Road when the victim was pushed in the back and fell to the floor.

A man then stole the woman’s handbag, which contained her purse with £100 in cash inside, before running off down a ginnel next to the medical centre in Leeds Road.

The victim suffered a black eye and severe bruising to her legs.

The man is described as Asian, about 6ft tall with broad shoulders and is aged around 25 to 30. He was wearing a dark-coloured baseball cap, a red long-sleeve shirt, dark jeans and dark shoes.

DC Haydn Sibley said: “This was a cowardly attack on a vulnerable victim who has understandably been left very shaken by the incident and we are keen to speak to the man pictured in the CCTV images.”

Officers believe the robbery may be linked to another incident on Monday, November 17th, where an 85-year-old woman had her purse snatched as she was boarding a bus at Nelson Interchange in Railway Street. A man grabbed the victim’s purse as she went to pay her fare and ran off, heading through the subway towards Hibson Road.

Anyone with information can contact the police on 101 quoting crime reference number EG1401179.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.