AN ELDERLY woman suffered minor injuries and was left shaken after her handbag was stolen by a teenager in a “callous” crime in Birkenhead town centre.

The 79-year-old woman was on her way to Birkenehad bus station at around 8.15pm on Sunday, January 5 when she was approached by an unknown male.

The man - described as being white, in his late teens and of medium build - grabbed the woman's handbag and during the struggle, she fell to the floor.

The offender, who was wearing a dark coloured woollen hat and a grey coat, is then believed to have ran off with the woman’s handbag towards Conway Street and Europa Boulevard.

The woman suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident and has been left very shaken following her ordeal.

Merseyside Police is appealing for information following the robbery and has issued a description of the offender.

Detective Constable Keith Irving said: “This was a despicable and callous crime against an elderly woman who was just going about her business. We are absolutely determined to find this offender so they cannot commit further crimes.

"I would appeal for anyone who saw anything in the town centre on that evening that in hindsight seems suspicious, to contact us with that information. 

"I'd also like to reassure people that incidents like this are thankfully very rare and neighbourhood officers will be patrolling this area. 

"Information that seems trivial to them may turn out to be crucial for us in catching this offender."

An investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 2262 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.