Elderly woman robbed in Horsham subway

The 78-year-old got off the number 51 bus at Horsham railway station, crossed North Street and went into the underpass to the station car park when she was attacked at about 12.15pm on Wednesday October 16.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “She was approached from behind by a man wearing a grey scarf covering his face.

“He grabbed her handbag and pulled it so violently the straps were torn off it and the victim was knocked to the ground.”

The man ran from the underpass into Horsham Park with the black canvas handbag containing the victim’s purse and black Nokia mobile phone.

He was white, 5’10”, 30 to 40 and of average build. He was wearing a green parka jacket and a grey scarf.

Detective Constable Karrie Bohanna, of West Sussex CID, said: “This was a nasty attack that has left the victim very shaken and with cuts and bruises due to her fall.

“I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the area around the station or Horsham Park on October 16 and may have seen the robber before or after the attack.

“The victim was targeted in the middle of the day when lots of people were around and I would urge anyone who saw a man fitting the description of the offender to contact us.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting serial 579 of 16 October, email [email protected] or call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.