Detectives are linking a “cowardly” robbery of an elderly woman as she left a Bradford church with two similar street muggings in the city.

The 78-year-old woman suffered a broken shoulder and facial injuries when a thief bundled her to the ground and dragged her along the pavement as she clung on to her handbag near St Cuthbert’s Church in Heaton Road, Heaton, at 6.20pm on Saturday.

The suspect was a small, skinny Asian man, wearing a grey or white hooded top and dark slim-fit jeans.

Yesterday police revealed they are linking the robbery to a theft and a robbery in Girlington at 12.40pm on Sunday when a man grabbed a 71-year-old woman’s bag at the junction of St Chads Road and Toller Lane and then ran into the park on Farcliffe Road.

The man is described as Asian, aged between 18 and 20 and around 5ft 8ins.

The second incident occurred at about 6pm in Squire Lane.

A 23-year-old woman, who was talking on her mobile phone, was approached by a man who snatched it from her before making off along Springroyd Terrace.

The suspect was of a similar description to the earlier incident.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, is asked contact Detective Constable Jane Hebdon on the non-emergency 101 number, or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.