A PENSIONER was robbed of £200 of her Christmas money as she lay helpless on the floor following a fall in Burnley this morning.

In a crime that officers said “even hardened criminals would be disgusted by”, the thief stole the money from the 81-year-old lady at around 8am.

The woman, who lives locally, was walking along Burdett Street, when she fell to the pavement.

Whilst on the pavement the thief walked up to her and took her handbag which contained £200 which she had saved for Christmas.

Detective Sergeant Charlie Haynes said he expected the local community to be disgusted at the crime.

He said: “This is a callous act of theft, from an 81-year-old vulnerable lady whilst she lay helpless, having fallen over in the street. “Whilst almost all decent minded people would have assisted the lady in her time of need, this thief has taken advantage of her misfortune.

“She has understandably been left heartbroken by what has happened to her, especially with it being so close to Christmas.

“I hope that people will come forward in this season of goodwill, to give us information about who may have been responsible for this crime so we can hopefully bring this thief to justice.

“Even hardened criminals will be ashamed by this heinous act and I would ask them to help us find who is responsible.”

The thief is described as a white man, slim build, possibly in his 20s, wearing a dark hooded top with the hood pulled up.

Anyone with information can contact DS Charlie Haynes or DC Steve Acres at Pennine CID by calling 01282 472240