A DISABLED Redditch woman was so shocked after having her handbag stolen she crashed her motorised wheelchair into a tree and fell out.

The incident happened close to Woodgate House, Batchley, at about 12.15pm last Tuesday when the elderly woman was on her way to a friend's house.

As she travelled down a footpath leading to Cardy Close, a man ran up behind her and grabbed her handbag out of the basket on the front of the wheelchair.

The 75-year-old woman was screaming and lost control of her wheelchair, crashing it into a small tree.

The black handbag contained £45, bank cards and personal paperwork.

A police spokesman said: "This was a despicable offence on a particularly vulnerable member of society and we need to find out who this offender was.

"It was fortunate the woman was not hurt but she was badly shaken by the incident."

The attacker who grabbed the bag was described as white, about 5ft 7ins tall, of slim build with dark hair.

He was wearing a dark waistcoat with a light coloured shirt underneath.

Shortly before the theft, the woman had passed and said hello to two men in Cardy Close who police are keen to talk to.

Anyone with information can call Redditch police on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.