AN ELDERLY woman who fought with a mugger when he grabbed her handbag fell to the ground and broke her arm.

The 81-year-old, from Erith, desperately tried to hold on to her bag when her attacker struck as she stood at a bus stop in Thamesmead.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after the robbery at about 11.15am on Thursday in Yarnton Way near the junction with Wolvercote Road.

The man, described as black, aged about 20 and wearing dark clothes, made off towards Maran Way with £30 cash and her keys

The man made off with the bag containing about £30 and her keys in the direction of Maran Way.

Two members of the public came to the woman’s aid and she was taken to hospital with a broken right arm and cuts to her leg.

Anyone with any information should call PC Neil Dawes on 020 8284 9240. To remain anonymous, call the Bexley Crime Hotline on 020 8284 9234 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Information can also be e-mailed to Bexley.Crime@met.police.uk.