| OFFICERS are appealing for information after an attempted robbery against an elderly woman in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Police were called shortly before 5pm on Saturday, January 15 to reports of a robbery earlier that day (at around 2:30pm) on Lordsfield Avenue. Officers attended and enquiries established that an elderly woman in her late 70s was walking along the bridle path with her daughter when a man approached her from behind and grabbed her neck. The offender is then believed to have thrown her to the floor and attempted to get hold of her handbag. He dragged the victim along the ground, which caused injuries including cuts and bruising to her face, neck, and legs. The victim’s daughter has then managed to push the offender away. Other members of the public are believed to have witnessed the incident and ran to the victim’s aid, which subsequently caused the offender to flee without the handbag. Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made. Police Constable Richard Beswick, of GMP’s Serious Acquisitive Crime Team, said: “This was a horrific attack on an elderly woman. Thankfully, she was not seriously hurt.  “We are continuing to investigate this matter and are following all lines of enquiry. “Prior to this incident, the offender was seen waiting at the junction of Turner Lane and Lordsfield Avenue. We are urging anyone who was in the area at the time to please take a look back if they have any dashcam footage. “Anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious should please contact police immediately as it could prove vital in helping us locate the offender.” Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9338 quoting incident number 2097 of 15/01/21. Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. |