Manhunt for Shields Road mugger

Police and emergency services responded at 11.15am today to a report of a 66 year-old woman having been robbed close to Shields Road, Motherwell.

She was approached by a man who demanded her bag and was pushed to the ground when she refused

.The suspect made then made off with personal property and a small sum of money.

The 66 year-old woman was left in state of shock and was taken to Wishaw General Hospital for treatment.

Specialist resources including the police helicopter and the dog unit have been deployed in order to trace the man responsible. Enquiries are currently ongoing in the area.

Detective Inspector Kenny Dalrymple said today: “This was a despicable and targeted attack on a woman that the suspect believed to be vulnerable.

“He made off in an unknown direction.

“ However, we are analysing available CCTV and conducting local enquiries to trace the man responsible. “The description we have at this time is that man is a white man who is approximately 20 years-old wearing a blue jacket and dark coloured denims.

“The area was busy around the time of the incident given the time of day.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police as soon as possible.

“You may have seen the suspect run off from the scene, or heard a disturbance on Shields Road when the incident occurred. Anything you may know will be of help to our inquiry.”

Please contact detectives based at Wishaw police office via 101 with any information.

Alternatively contact CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.