POLICE are urgently trying to contact an elderly lady who fought off handbag thieves in Cowpasture Road, Ilkley.

Three white men in a white Vauxhall Nova struck at about 11am on Tuesday, close to the Craiglands Hotel.

After failing to wrestle the bag away from the pensioner, the men sped off. The car was later found abandoned at Steeton railway station.

Around noon a woman in Silsden had her handbag stolen by men driving a stolen Vauxhall Cavalier.

Police believe the two incidents are connected and are anxious to find the culprits.

Sergeant Alan Gee of Keighley Police said: "We do not know the identity of the lady involved in the incident at Ilkley and we would like her to come forward. A passing motorist saw the incident and pursued the Nova for some time before eventually losing it."

He said: "Obviously we would like to hear from anyone else who witnessed this incident in Cowpasture Road."

Anyone with information can contact Ilkley Police on (01943) 601060.

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