Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after a woman on a mobility scooter was robbed in Bournemouth.
The victim, a vulnerable woman aged in her 70s, was riding her mobility scooter along Carbery Avenue at around 4.15pm yesterday, Wednesday 4 April 2018.
She became aware of a cyclist approaching her from behind who then grabbed a handbag and plastic bag from the basket on her mobility scooter before pushing the mobility scooter, causing it to topple over.
The offender then dropped the plastic bag and rode off with the victim’s handbag in the direction of Southbourne.
The victim was taken to hospital, where she was treated for a broken arm before being discharged later that evening.
The offender was wearing dark clothing and had dark hair. At this stage it is not known whether the offender was a man or a woman.
The victim’s mobile phone was recovered later in a garden in Rufford Gardens but the handbag and the rest of its contents have still not been located.
Detective Constable Matt Loader, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This was a nasty robbery targeting a vulnerable woman, who was left with a broken arm and is understandably shaken by the incident.
“We are determined to identify the offender and have been carrying out numerous enquiries including house-to-house and a review of CCTV footage in the area.
“I am appealing for any witnesses, or anyone who has any information that can assist our investigation, to please contact police.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email [email protected] or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180049956. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
