Sixty-one-year-old woman fights off attempted handbag snatchers

A 61-year-old woman managed to fight off two men who tried to steal her handbag in Livingston.

As she made her way home from the supermarket, two men grabbed the woman’s wrist and attempted to snatch her handbag, but she clung on until the men fled the scene.

The attempted robbery took place at approximately 8pm on Friday January 4 in the Burnvale are, as the woman walked home from Asda.

The woman suffered minor injuries, according to police, but did not require medical attention.

Police Scotland are now appealing for help to track down the culprits as the appeal for any witnesses.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Batten from Livingston CID said: “The suspects seem to have targeted the victim believing they could rob her of her possessions.

“However, she refused to surrender her bag and their efforts were unsuccessful.

“Nevertheless we are treating this matter very seriously and would urge anyone who was in the area of the underpass on Friday evening to get in touch if they remember seeing or hearing anything untoward.

“We’d also ask anyone who can help us identify the suspects to contact police immediately.”

The pair are described as white men, approximately 5ft 7ins tall, of average builds, and both were wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Livingston CID on 101, quoting incident number 2148 of January 5.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.