POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two robberies took place in Nelson last week.
Both the incidents happened in the early evening of Tuesday, January 15th, between 5-20 and 5-45pm.
The first happened on Netherfield Road when a 46-year-old woman had walked from the town centre and was approached and attacked from behind and knocked to the floor.
As she looked up, a man was standing over her and he attempted to steal her handbag. A struggle ensued but she managed to keep hold of her bag, although she received minor injuries in the process. The man ran off and she walked to a family member’s house to raise the alarm.
The victim described her attacker as being a man with a slim build, 5ft 8 in. tall, and was wearing a long grey coat with a hood, and the coat came down just above the knees.
The second incident took place on Railway Street a short time later at around 5-45pm. A 15-year-old girl had left the town centre and was heading home when she was also approached from behind. A man grabbed her around the neck and was able to steal her mobile phone.
Both victims described the attacker as of Asian appearance. The second description was a slim build, 5ft 7 in. tall, wearing a dark blue hooded top with the hood up.
Det. Con. Tom Edmondson from Pennine CID said: “Clearly there are a lot of similarities between these two attacks and we are linking them.
“I would appeal to anyone who recognises either description of the men to come forward and contact the police. Also, if anyone was in the area at the time and witnessed anything then I would urge them to get in touch.
“Understandably, the victims have been left shaken following their ordeal and we need to find the person responsible.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Burnley CID on 101. People with information can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.