Officers are appealing for witnesses and information after a 100-year-old woman was pushed to the ground and robbed.
The woman’s handbag was stolen after a man tackled her outside her own home before making off, and detectives need the public’s help to identify the suspect.
The incident happened on Tuesday, 23 August at 17:00hrs in the area of Sherboro Road, N15.
The victim had just arrived home having been out at a prayer meeting in Wood Green.
Outside her front door she was approached by a man who said he was there “to do the electrics”.
She said she did not need any electrical work at which point the man pushed her to the floor and grabbed her handbag.
The victim called out to her grandson who was inside her address.
The suspect then made off, pursued by the woman’s grandson, through the local area.
The man was last seen in Sherboro Road before he escaped north onto the High Road (A10), towards Seven Sisters Road.
The suspect is described as white and aged around 35 years.
The victim was taken by the London Ambulance Service to a north London hospital as a precaution but was not injured during the incident.
Her handbag, containing between £250 and £300, was stolen along with some personal items.
Detective Chief Inspector Luke Marks, from Wood Green CID, said: “This was a despicable attack on a very elderly lady who lived independently and is now fearful to return home.
“At 100 years old she had the sense and foresight to dismiss the suspect when he tried to con her into unnecessary electrical work but he then decided to mug her instead.
“She is naturally extremely distressed and shaken by what happened and we are appealing for help to catch his man before he targets someone else.
“Did you see him running from the area on 23 August, pursued by another man, and making off along the A10? Please come forward with any information.”
Anyone who can help is asked to contact police on 020 3276 3083 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
