POLICE are hunting two robbers who attacked an 81-year-old woman in Fordingbridge.

Their elderly victim was left with a broken elbow, a suspected broken clavicle and cuts after two teenagers pushed her to the ground to steal her handbag.

The incident happened on Wednesday, July 14 as she was walking along a footpath from Green Lane towards Normandy Way housing estate between 2pm and 3pm.

The boys were lying in wait on a small bridge and attacked the woman from behind.

She struggled to keep hold of her bag but was pulled to the ground.

Both boys ran off along a path leading to Cottage Mews in the Normandy Way |housing estate.

The victim is currently receiving treatment for her injuries at Salisbury District Hospital.

The suspects are between 16 and 17, both white and of slim build. They are described as being 5ft 6ins tall and were wearing dark |clothing with hoods covering their faces.

DC Lisa Poole of Hampshire Police said: “This is a despicable crime in which the offenders targeted a |vulnerable elderly lady as she walked home alone during the afternoon.

“Incidents like this are extremely rare in the New Forest. We must find the |people responsible for this incident and bring them to justice.

“I would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident, in particular two young girls the victim saw leaving the water meadows just before the incident.

“It is possible these girls, one of whom was talking on her mobile phone, may have seen the offenders.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact DC Poole at Lyndhurst Police Station, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, where information can be left anonymously if necessary.