A manhunt is underway to find a thug who brutally robbed and broke the arm of a defenceless 87-year-old woman in Streatham.
Police released CCTV footage of the man wanted in connection with the attack on along with images of the woman’s badly bruised arm.
The incident occurred on 16 March on Streatham after the lady had been buying flowers and prosecco on Streatham High Road before going to visit her family.
Detective Constable Caroline Benjamin of the robbery investigation team 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.”
Police urge anyone who recognises the suspect, saw the events leading up to or saw the suspect later in the shops to call police immediately.
The lady had just parted ways with her friend – another elderly lady – and just reached Pendennis Road when the incident occured.
She told police she felt a mighty blow from behind that knocked her to the ground before seeing a man running away from her back towards Streatham High Road.
He 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 victim 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 theft, a number of transactions were made using her stolen cards at shops in Streatham High Road.
Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC.
