The moment officers identify suspected robber after stealing elderly lady’s handbag

Thursday, 6 March 2025 17:55

By David Murphy

A joint piece of work by the Leigh Neighbourhood Team and the Wigan District Neighbourhood Crime Team allowed officers to identify a suspected robber after enquiries established last month (Thursday 13 February 2025) a local 71-year-old woman had her bag snatched, which contained £80, in Leigh town centre.

A 57-year-old man was arrested yesterday (Wednesday 5 March 2025) on suspicion of robbery and has since been bailed pending further enquiries, with conditions not to enter the town centre.

Inspector Sam Davies from our Wigan district said; “As a local neighbourhood team one of our key priorities is to make public areas safe for those who are going about their daily business and take robust action against who chose to disrupt that objective.

“When we receive reports like this, we are always determined to identify those responsible to send a clear message that robbery, and especially targeting the vulnerable, will not be tolerated.

“The victim is continued to be supported and despite the ordeal remains in good spirits.”

Anyone with information that may help with the ongoing investigation are asked to call 101 quoting crime reference CRI/06LL/0003950/25.

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