Elderly lady’s bag snatched on Chichester footpath

POLICE are looking for a thief who snatched an 86-year-old woman’s bag as she was walking in Chichester.
Police SUS-150806-131448001Police SUS-150806-131448001
Police SUS-150806-131448001

The snatch took place between 11am and midday on Wednesday (June 10), according to police, on the footbridge over the railway line between Kingsham Road and Stirling Road, near the Chichester high schools.

“The 86-year old victim, who was using a ‘walker’ to aid her mobility, was approached by a man described by her as white, about 5’, clean shaven, of slim build, with jet-black, short hair,” said a police spokesman.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He appeared to be an adult rather than a teenager. He first distracted her by engaging in conversation before deliberately snatching her plastic bag-for-life style bag which contained purses and other personal items.

“Thankfully a member of the public found all the property in hedging nearby shortly afterwards, and it was handed in at Chichester police station just as the victim arrived to make a statement.”

PC James Bunch said: “This offence happened in a residential area in broad daylight and anyone who saw what happened or who saw the suspect nearby is asked to contact us right away via [email protected] or by calling 101, quoting serial 0557 of June 10.

“You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This is the only such offence that has been reported in the area recently, but we ask local people to be aware of what has happened and to contact us via 999 if they think that they are being followed or see any person acting suspiciously in the area, especially if matching the description provided.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you will be among the first to know what is going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk

3 Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Observer – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.