Community sets up collection for pensioner who suffered cuts and bruises in Bury St Edmunds robbery

A community has set up a collection for a pensioner who suffered cuts and bruises after a male assaulted her and stole her handbag in Bury St Edmunds today.

The woman, aged in her 80s, had visited the Post Office in Lake Avenue, when a male assaulted her and stole her handbag, containing bank cards and cash, shortly before 12.40pm in Tennyson Road.

The victim fell during the incident and was left shaken with cuts and bruises.

She was taken by ambulance to West Suffolk Hospital for treatment.

Today (June 28), a police spokeswoman said she remains in hospital.

Detectives are urging residents to check their gardens, dustbins and outbuildings for a discarded black handbag with two straps.

To show their support, residents on the Mildenhall Road estate set up a collection for her this afternoon at the Lake Avenue Store and Post Office.

Everyone is quite disappointed and aggrieved that someone felt the need to do this to a defenceless elderly lady - store owner

The store owner said: "They've started a collection to help her redeem any lost funds and also get her some flowers to let her know the community is thinking of her and standing with her.

"It's great camaraderie and a great togetherness but that's the kind of community they are.

"Everyone is quite disappointed and aggrieved that someone felt the need to do this to a defenceless elderly lady."

A Go Fund Me page has also been set up to raise funds for her.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact West CID at Bury St Edmunds Police Station on 101 quoting reference CAD 144 of June 27 or by providing an online update via the constabulary website www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/existing-report-update

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form www.crimestoppers-uk.org