Princess Street where the attack took place

A pensioner has been forced to the ground and money taken from him during a robbery in Preston city centre.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 78-year-old was attacked and robbed.

Bank notes in an envelope carried by the pensioner were torn in half during the struggle at around 7.20am on Tuesday (9 August).

The pensioner suffered a minor injury to his elbow during the attack in Princess Street, off Queen Street.

The offender is described as white, in his early 40s, of average build, 5’6″ to 5’8″. He was wearing blue jeans, a blue coloured top with a black woolen hat.

He was last seen running off in the direction of Carr Street.

Det Sgt Jerry Sturgess, of Preston CID, said: “This was a completely unprovoked and callous attack on a defenceless individual.

“The offender has targeted this elderly victim as he clearly thought he would be a soft touch but for all his efforts he ended up with nothing. The money he was carrying belonged to a friend that he was going to pay his household bills in an act of kindness. I urge anyone with any information at all to come forward.”

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Anyone with information about the incident or about the offenders can contact police on 101 quoting log reference 0260 of August 9.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.