Woman aged 75 robbed of her handbag in Newent

A 75-year-old woman was robbed of her handbag in Newent earlier this week and police are asking for anyone with information to come forward.

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

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

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 Newent town centre.

The victim was not injured, but is 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 described as being 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.

You can provide information to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 340 of 20 September: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/