Pensioner Robbed After Fainting At Bus Stop

Police at Ringwood are trying to identify a man and woman who may have robbed an elderly woman after she passed out in a bus stop at Meeting House Lane, Ringwood.

Between 1.45 and 2.15pm Wednesday, November 21st, the 70-year-old Ringwood woman passed out in the bus shelter.

A number of people came to help her, but someone stole her purse from a canvas shopping bag while she was unconscious.

The theft was not discovered until some time later, when she was in hospital. By then, her credit card had been used to put £50 credit on a mobile phone, and there was an attempt to get cash at a bank in Christchurch High Street.

CCTV shows a man and a woman with the shopping bag. Both appear to be in their early to mid-twenties.

The man is of medium build and wearing a dark hooded top with an orange or gold motif across the front. He wore jeans and white trainers.

The woman has blonde shoulder-length hair and is of medium build. She wore a dark jacket and carried a black and white stripped umbrella.

PC Tom Neale is appealing for information about the couple.

“This is an opportunist and, frankly, despicable act. It happened at a busy bus station, and a number of people came to the woman’s aid.

“Unfortunately, someone has taken advantage of the situation to steal from the unwell woman. They have taken the purse from her bag and left, not caring what happened to her,” PC Neale said.

“I am appealing to the person or people who carried out this crime to hand themselves in. Or, if anyone recognises these people, please tell the police.

I also would like to speak to those people who helped the woman. They may have information that can assist the investigation,”

Police say following a stay in hospital, the woman recovered well, but remains very upset by what happened.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Neale at Ringwood police station on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity line on 0800 555 111.