POLICE are appealing for witnesses as they hunt for a man who robbed a Redditch pensioner of groceries he was carrying home from the shops.

It happened on Tuesday, December 18 between 3-3.15pm on a footpath which runs under the A441 from Union Street to Holloway Drive.

The 78-year-old victim was returning home with food he had just bought when he was pushed over from behind. A black bag he was carrying his groceries in was snatched by the robber who ran off and is believed to have turned right on to a path between the B&Q and Matalan stores

The robber was a male wearing dark trousers and a black Puffa jacket over what is thought to have been a blue top. His victim was left with a bruised hip and was treated at home by paramedics but did not go to hospital.

The path where the robbery took place was cordoned off for a time and a dog handler attended. Officers are also studying CCTV footage from the area.

Detective Constable Rachel Southan of Redditch CID said: "The food that was stolen was found scattered along the path between B&Q and Matalan but the victim's large black nylon shopping bag has not been recovered so we would be interested in hearing from anyone who might have come across that.

"Robbing a pensioner who was carrying just a few pounds worth of groceries is obviously pretty despicable and I would urge anyone who knows or thinks they know who is responsible for this to get in touch. And if you saw a man fitting the description of the offender in that area yesterday or running from the scene, then please tell us.

"We understand two Asian men who were passing helped the pensioner up off the ground and checked to see if he was okay. Unfortunately they did not stay at the scene and we don't know who they are. We also don't know if they saw the incident or the offender making off afterwards but either way we really would like them to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact officers at Redditch CID on the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident reference 79-N-181212, or pass details on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.