A 90-year-old woman with dementia was shoved to the ground by thieves who stole her necklace and wedding ring near her home in Newham, east London. The victim was left with bruises on her face and cuts to her elbows.
Incident captured on CCTV
Police were called to the scene following reports of a robbery on Friday, 17 July. CCTV footage appears to show the woman being called over to a car that stopped on the street, moments before the incident. The footage shows the woman appearing to talk to someone in the car before being pushed and the car speeding off.
Daughter's account
The pensioner's daughter, who wishes to remain anonymous, said her mother has advanced dementia and part of her daily routine was to walk to the shop then sweep outside the house. The daughter said: "What you can see on the footage is hands going in and out of the car and they take the chain off mum's neck. We're not sure how they get the ring off their finger. They sped off and pushed her to the ground and she was found on the kerb by a neighbour - that's as far as we know."
Due to her dementia, the elderly woman has no recollection of the incident and is unable to give further details. The daughter said: "Luckily it wasn't anything more serious. She doesn't understand, she keeps looking for her ring and getting quite distressed. She doesn't understand why we're not letting her out now. It's ruined her routine. I'm angry, she's 90, she's vulnerable and can't look after herself."
Previous robbery and police appeal
According to the daughter, the elderly woman was allegedly also robbed three months ago when her bracelet was stolen. The family and police have appealed to the public for more information. No arrests have been made at this stage.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Officers are currently investigating reports of a robbery, which occurred on Friday, 17 July. The victim, a woman in her 90s, had her jewellery stolen on Morris Avenue, Newham. Officers attended the scene and spoke with the victim, as well as witnesses in the area. Enquiries remain ongoing, including a review of CCTV footage, and no arrests have been made at this stage." Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 3132/19JUL.
