This in from the Police – Ed.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was targeted by a thief in Newport last Friday (15th November).
At about 7.45pm, the victim, a 62-year-old woman was walking her dog on the footpath between Robin Hood Street and the Nisa/Spar shop on Royal Exchange, Newport, when she was approached by a man who shoved her against a fence before demanding money and her phone.
After telling him she had neither, she called for her dog (who was off the lead at the time) and the man walked off in the directions of the shops.
Perpetrator description
The suspect was described as:
White man
Late twenties
Approx 5ft 6ins tall
Medium build
Dark hooded top
Dark scarf covering half of his face
Smelt of tobacco.
Police: “This type of incident is rare”
Investigating Officer, DC Vici Hayward of Newport DCID said:
“Although this type of incident is rare, we are treating this matter very seriously. The victim was not injured, but she was left very shaken and scared.
“Members of the public should be able to walk in their community without fearing for their safety and I would urge anyone who may have seen someone matching this description in that area, or who may have been approached by this man themselves, or someone matching his description to get in touch.
“We recommend that people use well-lit and used routes instead of the more secluded footpaths during hours of darkness and if that isn’t possible try not to walk alone.”
Do you have information?
Anyone with information can contact DC Vici Hayward of Newport DCID by phoning 101. Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
Image: leehaywood under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license
