Bankcards stolen from 83-year-old woman in Hartlepool street robbery

The woman was walking through Richard Court towards Flaxton Street at 11.45am on Friday when a man approached her and told her she had dropped £10 from her purse.

The victim knew this wasn’t true as she wasn’t carrying any money on her. The man then grabbed her handbag, took the purse out of it and stole her bank cards.

The man is described as being a white man in his 50s, of tall build and he spoke with a speech impediment. He was also wearing a dark coloured long coat and a flat cap.

Any witnesses or anyone with information regarding the man responsible are asked to contact Detective Constable Jeff Fleet from Hartlepool Operational Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.