Police are appealing for witnesses after four Tilgate street robberies in the space of just three weeks.
An 80-year-old woman was walking down an alleyway next to the doctor’s surgery on Tilgate Way on February 18. As she approached Irving Walk at around 2:30pm a man ran past and grabbed a plastic carrier bag hanging on her walking frame.
Police said the bag contained personal items and cash. The thief was described as white and aged 18-22.
Three days later, a 56-year-old man had his wallet stolen as he walked through the same alleyway at around 4:15pm. It was snatched from his hand by a man he described as black and wearing dark clothing.
A 33-year-old woman was walking on York Road at 9.15pm on March 2 when she felt someone push her from behind and grab her handbag. Police said she turned around to see a man running away with her bag which contained a purse and a mobile phone.
He was described as white, around 6ft wearing a grey hooded top and blue jeans.
As previously reported in the Observer a 57-year-old womscreamed for help when a robber snatched her bag on February 21 at 5pm.
Joanne Lunn, was near her home in Winterfold, Tilgate, when she noticed someone following her.
She said: “I felt him try and grab my bag and as I spun round it made me fall over and I lost my grip of the bag. T
“here was no one in the close and I was screaming and shouting for help. I was on my knees and I couldn’t get up no matter what I did.
“Luckily people heard me and came out and helped me.”
The thief made off with her handbag which contained a picture of her late father but no valuables.
The robber was described as white, aged about 17, skinny and about 5ft 5in tall.
Detective constable Andy Robinson from Sussex Police said: “Fortunately none of these victims have been hurt but have been left shaken up and extremely upset about what has happened.”
Call police on 101 Or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.