Shocking CCTV shows moment mugger drags pensioner in her 80s to the ground as he snatches her handbag on the street

A man has been arrested after an elderly woman in her 80's was knocked to the ground and had her bag stolen.

Officers were called to St Johns Avenue, off Rectory Road, in Sittingboure, Kent, shortly before 9am on Tuesday.

Footage from a nearby CCTV camera shows the woman crossing the road before a car pulls up and - after a brief exchange - its driver grabs her bag, knocking her over.

The video begins by showing the woman, dressed in a blue coat, using a walking stick to cross the road. 

Before she does so, a silver hatchback pulls up in front of the shop front which the woman is walking to. 

Its driver gets out and walks quickly past the woman before appearing to look into the shop. 

He then turns back and is seen talking to the pensioner before he suddenly snatches her bag and sends her falling to the floor.

The man is then seen getting back into his car and driving away, while the woman sits up on the pavement before cautiously moving to get back on her feet.   

A police spokesman confirmed an investigation was ongoing after a bag was stolen from a woman in her 80s.

Neighbour, Darran Wright, said of the attack: 'I was gobsmacked when I saw the footage, the woman is elderly and I just wish I was home at the time.'

Tanya Brennan, who lives nearby, said: 'I know that sort of thing goes on but to see it on your doorstep, it makes me physically sick.'