Police search for elderly man's street attacker

Around 7.20am yesterday, the man was walking on Princess Street with an envelope of cash when he was approached by another male.

The man snatched at the envelope and forced the victim to the ground as he refused to release his grip, police said.

Two bank notes in the envelope were torn in half during the struggle before the attacker ran off in the direction of Carr Street.

The male suffered a minor injury to his elbow during the assault.

The offender is described as white, in his early 40s, of average build and around 5ft 6 inches to 5ft 8 inches tall. He was wearing blue jeans, a blue coloured top with a black woolen hat.

Det Sgt Jerry Sturgess, of Preston CID, said: “This was a completely unprovoked and callous attack on a defenseless individual.

“The offender has targeted this elderly victim as he clearly thought he would be a soft touch but for all his efforts he ended up with nothing. The money he was carrying belonged to a friend that he was going to pay his household bills in an act of kindness.

“I urge anyone with any information at all to come forward.”

Anyone with information about the incident or about the offenders can contact police on 101 quoting log reference 0260 of August 9.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.