AN ELDERLY woman has been left with a suspected broken shoulder after being robbed in Durham today.

The 81-year-old woman had got off the bus at around 11.30am and was walking up the steps leading to Nevilledale Terrace when she was approached from behind by a man.

He grabbed the victim’s cream-coloured leather effect handbag with such force that she fell to the ground before making off up the steps with the bag.

The suspect is described as being white, slim build, in his twenties and around 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in tall.

He had thick mousey-coloured collar length hair and was wearing a dark blue waist-length coat.

Detective Sergeant Mark Garfoot from Durham City CID said: “This was a cowardly attack which left the elderly victim with a suspected broken shoulder and swelling to her face.

“We’d urge anyone with any information on the incident to contact us straightaway.”

Anyone with information should contact Durham Police on 101 and ask for DS Garfoot.