Blind woman loses £500 to thieves

Wednesday 10th February 2010, 12:09PM GMT.

A blind pensioner was targeted by a group of women in Shrewsbury who slashed her bag and stole a reading aid and an envelope containing £500.

The 70-year-old, who was shopping in the town, believes the theft happened while she was at Cafe Nero, in Mardol Head, between 3.30pm and 4pm on Thursday.

Police said she may have been followed by four women after leaving the Wilkinsons store in the Riverside shopping centre. The women were described as being east European in appearance.

Police spokesman Richard Ewels said the women “crowded round” the pensioner in the cafe but it was only later that she discovered her woollen shoulder bag had been slashed open and an envelope containing £500 removed.

A video magnifying machine for the blind worth £500, which was in a leather case, was also stolen.

A police spokesman said: “It appears this lady may have been deliberately targeted due to her lack of sight. However, we would remind all shoppers that purses, wallets and other items containing money should be kept well out of sight and bags zipped or otherwise made secure at all times when not in use.

“If anyone has information relating to this incident which might assist our inquiries, they should contact Shrewsbury police station on 0300 333 3000.”

A spokeswoman from Cafe Nero said they did not know about the theft until after the woman had left the shop.

She said: “We don’t know the woman or any of the women who surrounded her, they’ve never been in before.

“The woman’s daughter came in and told us what had happened after the woman left.”


  1. 1
    bigbeast

    A long time left winger it must surely be an age thing as I’m increasingly getting twitches in my right wing together with jerky knee reactions about what fate useless scum such as this deserve.

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    steveD

    These scum only understand one thing..

    There own civil rights, therefore there is nothing we can do to them…(Just thank all the do-gooders).

    Personally I would be willing to bring back the ‘cat’ and then throw them out of the country along with there Mothers, Brothers, Sisters and Uncles…

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    Shropsman

    Interestingly I read on the website of another paper (can’t remember which but have been scrabbing round trying to find it again) that they had done a Freedom of Info request which confirmed what one of their letter writers claimed – that the majority of what we would consider despicable crimes; preying on old grannies who just fetched their pension, and distraction thefts and burglaries, are mainly being committed by economic migrants and as even our own drug ravaged, sat nav nicking oiks think picking on old ladies is going too far – perhaps the Shropshire Star should ask the question in this area and see how far it is true ….. or is it just far right propoganda ???

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    H. St. John Peasbody

    Shropshman (#3): It is not far right propaganda. Try dining at a coffee outlet or fast food restaurant on Oxford Street in London and watch the number of Eastern European “rat children” there are who are looking for easy prey – a mobile phone on a table or a laptop bag not secured. Once they have their hands on an item, they’re gone and you won’t catch them in the crowds. I’ve nearly been a victim and I’ve seen it happen many times.

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    Drewp

    Bring on the Revolution!
    The Liberal elite have had their way for far too long.
    UK PLC going going gone!

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    marco

    @H. St. John Peasbody: strangely enough I am in Oxford Streen in London tonight so I will keep a look out for the these ‘rat children’ – although based on past experience I am more likely to be focussed on the rather attractive waitress (who, more than likely is eastern European.).

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    v

    I think this is absolutely disgusting doing this to somebody who is elderley and blind, I hope they catch whoever it is and lock them up or deport them back to where they come from, I think they are sick and I hope the lady is ok.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    Salopian-sparky

    These people must in posession of knives in a public place.
    This is a serious offence.So how about random searching?
    Sorry i forgot Do-gooders would not approve.

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    D.L.Barnett

    Even after a despicable crime like this they will still be entitled to their human rights,an amendment is surely overdue whereby once you commit a criminal act of this nature you lose your human rights until you have paid your debt to society .It will not happen ,the lily livered politically correct have a stranglehold on our society and government .I was even criticised last week for calling a person who sheltered a policewomans killer a piece of vermin .What chance any sort of justice with that attitude .The culprits if caught and that is doubtful will be defended at our cost ,will make no retribution and no doubt will have a slap on the wrists.They will not be deported ,the politically correct do gooders will see to that !!!!!!

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    Claire

    This really is awaful, poor lady, i hope she is ok – what a terrible heartless thing to do to a blind person!!!

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    Smellie

    Marco – the waitress is part of the plan. She distracts you while her rat children empty your pockets.

    But to the point of the article. It is very disappointing when there is a complete lack of compassion for the elderly and infirm. Who ever was responsible should be found and severely punished.

    Out of interest, who identified these dregs as “eastern european”? What was the basis of that ID? Could this be profiling?

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    Andrew S

    Please link this to the criticism’s that the police have had on the subject of ‘streets not safe for police’. Not in relation to their safety on the streets but in relation to the ‘human rights’ that ties their hands behind their backs….

    http://www.shropshirestar.com/2010/02/10/letter-streets-not-safe-for-the-police/

    Report abuse



Free e-Supplements

TWITTER

Shropshire Star on Twitter Shropshire Star on Twitter

Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

Entertainment

All the film reviews All the film reviews

Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.

OUR NEW APP

Get the new Shropshire Star app Get the new Shropshire Star app

Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.