Kind folk raise £600 to help crime-hit pensioner

Collection for purse snatch victim surpasses all expectations

Hundreds of pounds have poured in for an Angus octogenarian who had her pension stolen in a daylight attack.

Police are still hunting the male who cruelly targeted the 81-year-old, minutes after she left Arbroath’s Cairnie Street post office on Monday afternoon.

The thief grabbed her purse and cash from her, making off along the street as he fled from the shaken but unhurt OAP at around 1.30pm.

She did not need hospital treatment but the incident has shocked locals — who have delivered an instant response in support of the victim.

Through social media postings, including the Friends of Red Lichties Online Facebook page, a plea was put out for donations and more than £600 flooded in within just a few hours.

The cash was collected at the Peggy’s takeaway in Keptie Street — near the scene of the incident — and shop owner Clive Jones said he was staggered by the reaction.

“The idea wasn’t down to me, it was others including Darren Stewart who suggested we could get donations but I was happy for them to be handed in to the shop and we will pass the money on to police for them to give to this lady.

“We’re not intending it to run on and on. It was just an idea to ask for donations on one day and we thought if we could get about £200-£250 that would be good but people have been coming in with everything up to £50.

“There are a lot of good people out there who wanted to give something to help this lady,” added Mr Jones.

There has been a significant online reaction to the crime, with bitter condemnation of the thief.

Police Scotland said inquiries into the incident are continuing and have urged anyone with information, or who may have been in the vicinity at the time, to contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Cairnie Street post office sits on a busy road and the hope is that pedestrians or motorists may be able to provide vital clues in the hunt for the thief.

Peggy’s Hot & Cold Food in Arbroath is collecting money for an old lady who had her pension snatched. Manager Sharon Thomson accepts a donation from Emma Neave. Picture: Gareth Jennings.