AN elderly woman has been attacked and robbed in Jesmond.

The 72-year-old woman was walking over Armstrong Bridge at around 7.45pm on Thursday, February 9, when she was approached from behind by a man and pushed to the floor.

The robber stole her handbag and then fled in the direction of Jesmond Dene Road.

The victim was left with minor injuries to her hands and knees and extremely shaken by the incident.

The offender is described as being 5ft 9ins tall, in his 20s, of slight build and of eastern European appearance.

He was clean shaven and was wearing a black jacket with the hood up with a white stripe on it and dark trousers.

Enquiries are ongoing into the robbery and police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the attack and who might have seen anything to contact them.

The woman's bag was later found by officers in Jesmond Dene and there were a number of joggers, dog walkers and other members of the public around when this happened.

Police believe the man may have been hanging around the Jesmond Dene Road and Benton Bank junction before the incident.

  • Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 954 09/02/17.