Woman, 100, left with broken neck after 'particularly nasty' street robbery in Derby

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to the attack in the Normanton area at 8.30am

The muggers discarded the stolen green handbag after the attack (Derbyshire Police)

A 100-year-old woman was left with a broken neck after being robbed of her handbag in the street.

The centenarian was approached from behind and knocked over at 8.30am on Monday morning in Normanton, Derby.

Her injuries are not believed to be life threatening but she was unable to give police a description of her attackers.

The stolen handbag, which is made of fake green leather and has gold clasps, was found discarded a few hundred metres away.

Derbyshire Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident close to the junction of St Chad's Road and Empress Road.

The robbery took place in Empress Road, Derby (Derbyshire Police/Google)

Detective Sergeant Laura Kershaw said: “The victim has been unable to give us a description of the person or persons responsible for this robbery – that is why we need your help to find who did this.

“This is a particularly nasty incident that has targeted a very vulnerable elderly woman who was unable to defend herself.”

Police issued a picture of the ripped handbag, which was found at the junction of Moore Street and Normanton Road

“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anyone with a bag matching the one pictured in any suspicious circumstances," said DS Kershaw.

“If you were in or around the junction of Empress Road and St Chad’s Road at around 8.30am – and to anyone who may have been in the area of Moore Street and Normanton Road between 8.30am and 9.15am."

“In particular if you have CCTV or dash cam footage that may have picked up footage of the offence or of the offenders carrying the bag in the nearby area

"We need your help to find and stop those responsible."

The victim is still in hospital receiving treatment for a broken neck and bruising to her face.