A 75-year-old woman was robbed of her handbag in broad daylight in a town street and police are asking for anyone with information to come 
forward.

The victim was walking along a footpath from St Bartholomews to Foley Road in Newent when the incident happened at around 4.15pm on Tuesday (September 20).

Her handbag had been over her shoulder when she was approached from behind and felt someone forcibly grab her arm and handbag.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said: “The offender is believed to have been a male, under 6ft tall and of a slim build. He was in dark-coloured clothing.

“He fled with the bag and ran from the footpath next to Barton Court, onto St Bartholomews, onto Gloucester Street and then in the direction of the Black Dog Pub, heading into the town centre.

“The victim was not injured, but was left shaken by the ordeal.

“She was helped by members of the public and police were called.

“Officers attended and searched the area, however the offender was not found.

“Enquiries have been taking place and officers are now appealing to anyone who lives in the area and saw the person involved, or anyone who has CCTV footage or dashcam of them, to come forward.”

The victim’s bag is “a fairly large shoulder bag which is navy blue, with a red material that binds the straps”.

There is also a single pocket on the front of the bag.

It contained a purse with her bank cards and cash, her mobile phone, a paperback book, a scarf, her door keys and her diary.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who has found the bag or its items discarded.

They can provide information to police online by completing the form online and quoting incident 340 of September 20.