Elderly victim targeted on bus outside Barclays Bank (From This Is Local London)

Elderly victim targeted on bus outside Barclays Bank

1:34pm Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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AN elderly woman targeted by a pickpocket had her stolen purse returned by a good samaritan.

Police said the 70-year-old victim had boarded the 397 bus outside Barclays Bank, in Loughton High Road when she felt someone push into her.

When the bus stopped at Loughton Tube Station she realised her purse had gone missing.

A male passenger noticed a girl suspected of the theft and chased her as she fled from the bus at which point the she threw the purse at him. The purse with all its contents intact was returned to the victim.

The suspect is described as a white girl, aged 18, 5ft 2ins tall, with a foreign accent. She had long brown hair and was wearing a dark brown coat.

PC Bryan Patmore said: “Fortunately on this occasion the woman got her purse back thanks to the quick actions of a fellow passenger. If anyone has any further information, in particular I would like to ask the gentleman who assisted this lady to contact me as he may have further details that could assist me with this investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call Mr Patmore at Epping police station on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.