Blind pensioner, 80, robbed after being cornered in lift

Thieves have robbed a frail blind pensioner of £250 after cornering her in a lift at a council building, UK police have said.

The vulnerable 80-year-old had gone to the building to pay her council tax in cash when she was targeted by a man and a woman, leaving her "highly distressed".

The Metropolitan Police said the pensioner, who is registered blind, was followed into the lift and the man "physically prevented the victim from exiting" while his accomplice stole her purse containing money withdrawn from the bank earlier in the day.

Detectives on Friday released CCTV of two people they believed were involved in the crime at the Greenwich Borough Council building in Wellington Street in Woolwich, south east London, around noon on December 1.

Detective Constable Danny Banks said: "This was a despicable crime carried out against an extremely vulnerable elderly woman.

"As the victim is blind the description given was limited, but through CCTV enquiries we have identified these two suspects and we require the public's help to find them as quickly as possible.

"Anyone with information should not hesitate in contacting us."

Councillor John Fahy, deputy council leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: "For such a crime to be committed against such a vulnerable person is truly shocking.

"The council has been working closely with the police to help identify the perpetrators and we urge anyone with information that can help the police track down these people to get in touch as soon as possible."