An elderly woman was injured when a thief in a car snatched her handbag in Romford.

The victim, who needs a walking stick to get about, was making her way along Ferguson Avenue at around 10.40am last Sunday (June 10), when a man in a dark coloured car approached her and asked for directions,

“The driver suddenly pulled the victim’s handbag from her shoulder, causing her to fall to the ground suffering cuts and bruises to her hands,” a spokesman for Havering Police said. “The vehicle then sped off.”

Around �170 in cash was stolen, along with credit cards, and personal items.

The driver is described as white, 30-40 years old, with short dark hair, and had spoken with local accent.

Any witnesses or knowledge of this incident are urged to contact DC Ferne at Romford CID on: 101 or Crimestoppers on: 0800 555111