Women targeted

Crooks steal from OAPs

Police say enquiries are ongoing as they hunt for cruel crooks who targeted three Stirling pensioners last month.

The women, aged 72, 82 and 94, had their purses and handbags taken at locations across the city within a 24-hour period.

Our sister paper the Sunday Mail reported that the 94-year-old victim, Elizabeth Taylor, is a widow who welded battleships during World War Two.

On April 21, the day of the theft, she had withdrawn £300 from the Clydesdale Bank on Murray Place before being targeted less than 100 metres away.

After visiting the Chest Heart and Stroke Charity shop she noticed that her bag was missing from her three-wheeled trolley.

Police were contacted and although they recovered the bag nearby, the money was gone.

Mrs Taylor, of Clackmannanshire, is a great-great grandmother who was part of the Women’s Lady Army during the war. She spent time doing agricultural work before being transferred to weld ships at a Dundee shipyard.

She said that the experience won’t put her off shopping in the city centre – but she would have some strong words to say if she ever came face-to-face with those responsible.

She said: “I’ll be back in. But it’s despicable to steal from a 94-year-old.

“If I met them, I’d use one or two words I wouldn’t normally use. But, as my mother said, there are more honest people in the world than rogues.”

On the same weekend a 72-year-old woman had her purse, containing over £100 and bank cards, taken at TK Maxx, Burghmuir Retail Park.

And an 82-yearold woman had her purse stolen as she shopped in the Morrisons supermarket at Springkerse. It is understood the thieves may have used ‘diversionary tactics’ to distract her.

Officers confirmed to the Observer this week that they are continuing to investigate the incident.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If I met them, I’d use one or two words I wouldn’t normally use