A 56-year-old woman had her handbag snatched off her shoulder as she waiting to cross the road in Guildford at the weekend.

The victim had pressed the button on a pedestrian crossing opposite the Yvonne Arnaud theatre when a man approached her from behind and whilst dragging the bag from the victim he pulled her to the ground.

The victim was with her teenage daughter when the offence took place at 7.10pm on Saturday. As a result of the theft £80 worth of goods was stolen.

The suspect is described as a black man in his early twenties, 5ft 8” tall and of a medium build. He had short hair and was wearing a shirt black jacket and black trousers. He is described as being very athletic.

In a second incident on the same night which is not being linked, an 86-year-old woman was hospitalised as a result of injuries she received in an offence involving her bag being taken. The victim had been shopping in Madrid Road when an offence took place sometime around 7.40pm.

Surrey Police is appealing for witnesses to both incidents and is asking anyone with information to call 0845125 2222 quoting GD/09/2638 with reference to the Millbrook crime and GD/09/2640 with reference to the Madrid Road incident.

Neighbourhood Inspector Julie Murray said: “I am sure there would have been a lot of people out and about in these areas on a Saturday night and I would urge them to come forward with any information which could help investigative officers bring the suspects to justice.

“It is unusual for these type of offences to happen in Guildford and they would appear to be isolated opportunistic incidents – albeit that there were two in different areas of the town. It is important to remind people out and about in the evening to keep their belongings close to them and to be alert to their surroundings.”

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555 111.

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For more information call Margaret Cole, Press and Publicity Officer for West Surrey based at Guildford on 01483 630262

E-mail: 11484@surrey.pnn.police.uk

For up-to-date news see our website at www.surrey.police.uk