DETECTIVES are investigating a third attack on elderly women in Nelson in just nine days.

In the latest incident, a 71-year-old woman from the Hibson Road area of Nelson was grabbed and pushed to the floor in a busy car park before having her shoulder bag snatched. She was shaken by her ordeal but otherwise unharmed.

Police said there was a good chance someone saw the incident which happened at 1.20pm yesterday at Wavelengths pool, Leeds Road.

It follows two other attacks on elderly women in the town. Although officers are not yet linking any of the attacks they are not ruling out the possibility that one person might be responsible.

Last Wednesday, a 91-year-old woman was dragged to the floor and robbed in Albion Street. Five days earlier, a 72-year-old woman was mugged in Barkerhouse Road. Police said it was more by good fortune that none of the women was seriously injured.

The attacker was described as white, of medium build, 5ft 10in tall and aged between 20 and 30 years with short "grey-looking" hair. He was clean shaven and wore a grey jumper.

Detective Sergeant Mick Collins of Nelson CID said: "This was a very opportunist type of crime by a youngish man on a very vulnerable victim. It is the third such attack in nine days which is very worrying. The difference is that this one was in daylight in a very busy place. Someone must have seen something and I am asking people to come forward."

Nelson CID can be contacted on 01282 863161.

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