POLICE are hunting for a "cowardly" attacker who knocked over a pensioner on her way to church and stole her handbag.

The 84-year-old woman was attacked as she walked along Farm Close Road, Wheatley.

The man ran past her from behind, grabbing the handbag from her shoulder and hauling her to the ground, before running off.

The shocked woman suffered bruising to her knees.

The handbag was later found on a footpath which runs between Farm Close Road and Kelham Hall Drive. A grey purse, containing a small amount of cash, was missing.

Wheatley police are asking for the public's help to find the attacker.

He is white, aged 16 to 17, skinny, 6ft tall with dark shoulder-length hair. Beat officer Pc Richard Pribyl said: "This is a cowardly attack on a vulnerable elderly woman.

"Although she only received minor physical injuries, an attack like this can have a deep psychological effect.

"Thankfully, this kind of incident is still rare but is completely unacceptable.

"I would urge anyone who knows him or has any information to contact us."

Call Thame Police on 01844 264920 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Story date: Monday 20 March

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.