Widow mugged for handbag while tending husband's grave

Updated

An elderly widow had her handbag snatched while she was cleaning her late husband's grave on Christmas Eve, police said.

The 73-year-old woman was approached from behind and pushed to the ground in Hanwell Cemetery in west London.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "After stealing the handbag, the suspect left the cemetery at 13.32hrs, walking off briskly towards Church Road whilst covering his face."

The bag was recovered by a member of the public but the woman's purse was missing. She suffered minor injuries.

Police described the thief as a skinny man of about 5ft 9in. He was wearing a black scarf covering his face, a grey hooded top, a black coat and jeans.

The spokesman added: "The robbery took place in broad daylight and police are keen to speak to members of the public who saw a man matching this description walking briskly away from the scene, with his face covered and hood up."

Anyone with information was urged to call Ealing police via 101.

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