Thieves tried with varying success to snatch two handbags from out of their victims’ hands.
The two robbery attempts happened on the same evening in the middle of Nottingham city centre.
A 71-year-old woman was targeted in the first incident as she walked along Lincoln Street with her husband.
Two men deliberately ran straight into the couple and grabbed the woman’s bag – knocking her to the ground in the process.
The woman managed to cling on to her bag, however, the robbers fled empty-handed at around 7 pm on 17 December 2022.
The pair then repeated the same trick at around 8.25 pm – this time targeting a young woman standing with friends in Victoria Street.
One of the thieves managed to successfully snatch the bag on this occasion, with the duo then fleeing in the direction of Bridlesmith Gate.
Police have launched an investigation into both incidents, with officers releasing images of two people they’d like to speak to.
PC Sam Fowler, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “An elderly woman was dragged to the floor during one of these incidents, while a teenager had her bag ripped from her hands in the other.
“There is absolutely no place for this type of disgraceful behaviour in our communities – Nottinghamshire Police simply won’t stand for it.
“The two people pictured have information that we strongly believe could assist us with our investigation.
“We would urge anyone who recognises either, or both, of these men to please get in touch with us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting the incident numbers below, or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
- Incident 577 of 17 December 2022 for the attempted robbery on Lincoln Street
- Incident 622 of 17 December 2022 for the robbery in Victoria Street
