Coventry Lollipop Man Has Sign Stolen

29 January 2015, 08:08 | Updated: 29 January 2015, 08:12

A lollipop man who has been helping schoolchildren cross the road in Coventry for 14 years has been injured and had his sign stolen.

The 82-year-old was left shocked when he was pushed to the ground in Humber Avenue, near to the Humber Pub, on Wednesday 21 January.

The pensioner was stood on the roadside at 3.45pm when he helped a group of parents and youngsters across the road. 

As they went on their way a man walked up to the lollipop man and shouted at him, whilst trying to grab his lollipop stick.

Detective Inspector Gareth Mason, of Coventry Investigation Team, said: "This is a particularly senseless offence against an elderly man, who is carrying out a public duty.

"Since the attack the victim has been too distressed and shaken by what happened to return to work - something that has devastated him after so many years of devoted service. He also suffered injuries to his left side as a result of the fall. It is only through fortune that the injuries were not more serious.

"We are determined to identify the offender and request the help of the local community or anybody who witnessed the offence."

The offender is described as white, around 6ft 2in tall, of athletic build, in his late 20s to early 30s, with bushy or thick hair. 

He was wearing dark clothing.

Following the robbery a passerby spotted a blue Vauxhall Vectra car driving away and stopping in a nearby street, where three men got out, one of whom was carrying the lollipop stick.

He confronted them got the stick back for the lollipop man.

Anyone with information is being asked to call 101.