Police hunting mugger who threw his elderly victim to ground

Police are hunting a vicious mugger who threw his elderly victim to the ground and shattered her arm.

The 87-year-old woman, who was on her way to visit family, was shoved to the ground from behind in a deplorable broad daylight, police say.

The octogenarian, from Streatham, south west London, was left with her entire right arm covered in one giant bruise and a bad break – and is now too scared to sleep at night or leave her home.

Met Police say the victim, who had been active and independent, had met up with a friend in Streatham, to walk her home.

The opportunistic thug pounced just after the victim, who had her handbag strapped around her forearm, parted ways with her pal at her friend’s house.

After she was brutally assaulted and thrown to the ground, she saw a male running away.

Detectives have released CCTV of the suspect wanted in connection to the incident, which happened on March 16 at about 11.30am.

The victim’s handbag was later recovered by police in a nearby street.

Detective Constable Caroline Benjamin, of the robbery investigation team, based at Walworth police station, 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.”

Scotland Yard says the mugger was slim, dressed in black trousers and wore a black jacket with the hood up.

Police and the London Ambulance Service were called and the elderly woman was treated at hospital.

Her right arm was found to be to be broken and she needed stitches to her right hand.

Shortly after the robbery a number of transactions were made using her stolen cards at shops in Streatham.

ENDS