Robber steals handbag from 73-year-old woman as she tended her late husband's grave

The man wanted for question was described as skinny and about 5ft 9in. He was wearing a black scarf covering his face, a grey hooded top, a black coat and jeans

A 73-year-old woman was robbed and injured in Hanwell Cemetery, Ealing, as she tended her late husband’s grave (Google)

A 73-year-old woman was robbed and injured as she tended her late husband’s grave, police have said.

The woman was at the grave in Hanwell Cemetery in Ealing, London, at about 1.30pm on Christmas Eve when she was attacked.

The Metropolitan Police issued as CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the robbery.

In a statement, Scotland Yard said: “The victim, a 73-year-old woman, was cleaning her late husband's grave on Christmas Eve when she was approached from behind and robbed of her handbag causing her to fall to the ground.

“The woman sustained minor injuries during the robbery.

“After stealing the handbag, the suspect left the cemetery at 1.32pm walking off briskly towards Church Road whilst covering his face.”

The man wanted for question was described as skinny and about 5ft 9in. He was wearing a black scarf covering his face, a grey hooded top, a black coat and jeans.

The handbag was recovered by a member of the public nearby but the woman's purse was missing.