AN ELDERLY woman had her pension snatched during her first trip out of her home in six months.
The 84-year-old, who has lived in Accrington for 41 years, was walking home along Countess Street after collecting her pension and groceries from the Blackburn Road area of Accrington last Wednesday.
She was approached by a white man who stole an envelope, containing £480, from her pocket before running off towards Park Road just after 3.30pm.
The pensioner, who had not been out of her house for six months due to illness, was not injured but was severely shaken by the ordeal.
An investigation is now underway and police are urging anyone with information to contact them.
The offender is described as in his mid-20s and between 5ft 10ins and 5ft 11ins tall, with short hair.
Detective Sergeant Zoe Russo said: “This was an utterly cowardly act on an elderly member of the community and I urge anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area, or knows who was responsible, to contact police.
“The victim was saving up for some essential repairs to her gas fire and had only just plucked up the courage to leave her home after a recent illness.
“Fortunately, she has really good neighbours who are able to make sure she is OK but she has been left with no money.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 125 3545 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
