An 81-year-old woman was dragged to the ground in a “sickening” street robbery in Bingley which has left her afraid to leave her home, police revealed last night.

The victim, who had just collected her pension, was attacked from behind and robbed of her handbag as she walked along a snicket between Airedale Avenue and Staybrite Avenue.

The robbery comes two weeks after a similar incident in Rycroft Avenue, Bingley, on February 15, in which an 85-year-old woman was dragged to the ground when a robber snatched her bag and purse.

Detectives are now investigating whether the two crimes are linked.

The latest incident occurred shortly after 10am on Monday. The pensioner was pulled to the ground as she tried to keep hold of her handbag, which she had been carrying across her shoulder.

Detective Inspector Peter Craig, of Airedale and North Bradford CID, said the robber pulled at the bag with such force that the strap broke.

The male suspect is believed to have run off down the snicket in the direction of Staybrite Avenue. The shocked victim raised the alarm at a neighbour’s house.

Det Insp Craig said the bag contained £150, bank cards, a bus pass, a mobile phone and a brown purse.

The suspect was described as white, aged between 18 and 20, about 5ft 7ins to 5ft 8ins, of a slim build, with a pale complexion and brown eyes. He was wearing a black, woolly beanie hat and a dark bomber jacket.

Det Insp Craig said: “This type of crime on the vulnerable members of our community is particularly sickening and this has had a devastating effect upon the victim who is an elderly lady, who is self-sufficient but is now worried about leaving her address.

“I would appeal to members of the community to ring the police if they have witnessed the offence, seen a male fitting the description in the area or know who is responsible for the attack.”

Anybody with any information has been asked to contact Airedale and North Bradford CID on 0845 6060606.

A 20-year-old Cottingley man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery in connection with the incident on March 1. He has been released on bail pending further inquiries.