Spotted thief escaping with elderly woman's handbag

An off-duty policeman came to the aid of an elderly Chiswick resident, whose bag was snatched after she got off a bus.

The woman was walking towards Heathfield Terrace at 4pm on Saturday (Sept 20) from the High Road when the suspect came up and grabbed her bag, which was on her shoulder.

He forced the bag off her shoulder and then tried to make his escape. But his actions had been spotted by PC Evans from Hammersmith and Fulham, who was off duty at the time and happened to be passing through.

Area close to the incident

The policeman gave chase and apprehended the man.

The suspect was arrested and subsequently charged with the offence.

The elderly victim was shocked but received light injuries and did not need to go to hospital.

A police spokesman said this kind of crime was rare in Chiswick but it was very good luck that the police constable had come on the scene.

"He was passing through at the time and fortuitously was in the right place at the right time".

September 24, 2014