Walking stick attack drama
A woman bank customer was hit over the head by a middle-aged man brandishing a walking stick - who then pulled a knife on a man who challenged him. Police today appealed for witnesses to the attack, which happened outside the HSBC branch at The Cross, in Oswestry town centre. A woman bank customer was hit over the head by a middle-aged man brandishing a walking stick - who then pulled a knife on a man who challenged him. Police today appealed for witnesses to the attack, which happened outside the HSBC branch at The Cross, in Oswestry town centre. The customer was attacked near the front entrance to the bank by a man aged in his late 50s or early 60s at about 3.15pm yesterday. He hit her twice around the head with the wooden walking stick. A male passer-by attempted to stop the offender, but he broke free and punched the victim in the mouth. He then made off. The offender was followed by another man, who stopped and challenged him over his behaviour. He threatened to hit the witness with his walking stick - and when the witness grabbed it, the man pulled a knife. The stick was thrown back at him before the man left the area. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
A woman bank customer was hit over the head by a middle-aged man brandishing a walking stick - who then pulled a knife on a man who challenged him. Police today appealed for witnesses to the attack, which happened outside the HSBC branch at The Cross, in Oswestry town centre.Officers are now reviewing CCTV film of the area in a bid to trace the man. The customer was attacked near the front entrance to the bank by a man aged in his late 50s or early 60s at about 3.15pm yesterday.
He hit her twice around the head with the wooden walking stick.
A male passer-by attempted to stop the offender, but he broke free and punched the victim in the mouth. He then made off into an alleyway opposite the bank leading to English Walls. The offender was followed by another man, who stopped and challenged him over his behaviour.
He threatened to hit the witness with his walking stick - and when the witness grabbed it, the man pulled a knife.
The stick was thrown back at him before the man left the area.
Pc Scott Harrower, of Oswestry police, said officers searched the area but could not trace the attacker.
He said: "We need to find this man, who threatened and attacked one person and then threatened another with a knife.
"The incidents happened in broad daylight in a busy area of town and we would appeal to anyone who saw the attack or a man matching the offenders description to please get in touch.
"We believe the offender was with a woman of a similar age, who had very short, blonde hair which has been described as 'bleached' by witnesses. She was wearing a blue cap and jeans with boots over the top."
The offender is described as a white male, in his late 50s or early 60s, about 5ft 4in and of average build. He had a grey beard and grey hair and was wearing a dark baseball cap, beige zip-up coat or top, blue trousers or jeans and light coloured trainers or deck shoes. He used a wooden walking stick.
Police are now viewing CCTV footage of the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 08457 444888.
By Sue Austin
