A callous purse snatcher targeted an elderly wheelchair-bound woman out Christmas shopping in Bishop’s Stortford with a carer.
Police believe the thief struck while the pair – from St Elizabeth’s, the centre at Perry Green for people with epilepsy and other complex needs – were browsing in discount stationery and games shop The Works in Potter Street at around 1.30pm on Thursday November 25.
The purse was taken from a bag containing £120 cash hanging on the back of the wheelchair.
Describing it as a “disgusting” crime, PC Derek Lewin, of Bishop’s Stortford police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, said the money belonged to a woman in her 80s and two other residents from the home and was being looked after by the care worker.
St Elizabeth’s confirmed that the pensioner, a resident in one of its adult bungalows, had taken £80 to buy Christmas presents and two other residents, a man and a woman, had given £20 each to staff to buy items for them from the town.
Equally appalled by the theft, Martin Zelley, the owner of Market Square jeweller FJ Zelley – which was targeted the next day (Friday November 26) by a shoplifter who stole an £825 gold bracelet – offered to reimburse the residents their Christmas money.
Jenny Brand, manager for adult services at St Elizabeth’s, said that the crime had “struck a chord” with residents and staff, who had since been instructed to be extra vigilant while out and about.
“We all feel very disappointed that this would happen to anybody, but especially some of our vulnerable residents who are just getting back to normality after a year of lockdowns,” she said.
“The staff are making every effort to make this Christmas very special for the residents and we’re doing everything we can to support people into the local towns to go shopping for loved ones and friends, as well as engaging in community celebrations.
“This type of crime has made us all more wary of being in crowded places, but we will not let this spoil Christmas for the residents.”
Jenny added: “We are incredibly grateful for the kindness offered by Zelley’s and their contribution to reimburse those residents who were affected.”
PC Lewin said police had no description yet of the purse snatcher.
“The carer had taken the wheelchair-bound resident into the shop with various amounts of cash from different patients,” he said. “The carer left her briefly to pick something up from another part of the store, and when she came to pay she discovered the cash had been stolen from a bag on the back of the wheelchair.”
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