Police investigating a theft from an elderly woman in Brixton have issued a CCTV image of a woman they wish to speak to.
On Thursday 21 July at about 1pm, a 78-year-old woman withdrew £5,000 from Lloyds TSB in Brixton to give to her family following the death of a relative.
She left the bank and walked down Coldharbour Lane towards Atlantic Road and Market Row.
She was followed by two women who are believed to have been in the bank at the time she withdrew her money.
When the victim stopped at Dombey Meats in the market, the police say that one of the women pretended to fall ill.
The victim, a former nurse, went to her aid, but the suspect took the opportunity to cut the victim’s shopping trolley with a knife and take the cash from inside.
The victim, unaware, continued shopping, only later discovering the cut from which her cash had been taken.
PC Susan Nash said: “This is a horrible crime that has left the victim stripped of her independence.
“She’s now afraid to leave the house, scared she could be followed again.
“This is a victim who gave her life to caring for others as a nurse, who wanted to use some of her life savings to help her family.
“We urge anyone who has any information to get in touch.”
Officers are keen to speak to a woman who officers believe may be able to help. She is described as an Asian woman in her 20s with dark clothing and a dark head scarf
Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise or saw the woman shown on the CCTV image or who was shopping at Dombey Meats that day.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Lloyds TSB does not exist. The Lloyds opposite the Town Hall is the one mentioned in the article. The bank and this branch needs to look again at its procedures. It is a small branch and it is quite easy to see what everyone else is doing as the queue forms facing the kiosks and cashiers. Everything can be heard. Look at the image. She is not being served yet leaning against a clearly vacant kiosk and being able to have a view of all the transactions taking place whether or not she is responsible she should not be standing there, staring. Was this large sum of money counted out in full view of other customers? Vulnerable and elderly people should be taken to a private room when withdrawing such large amounts of cash. Was any advice given about other ways of transferring the cash electronically to the receivers account(s) rather than dealing with £5000 cash. The bank needs to look at whether any training or advice issues are needed at this branch when dealing with elderly people and let’s hope the bank goes some way to see this wrong righted against this lady as no doubt the thieves would have spent the sum already.