POLICE are hunting for two men who robbed an 81-year-old woman in broad daylight in York.

Officers have called the attack “heartless and despicable” and have released a CCTV picture, as they try to catch those responsible.

The victim was heading towards the shops in Moorcroft Road, Woodthorpe, at about 1.20pm last Friday, when two men walked up to her and one stole her shopping bag.

The pensioner was not injured but was left “very shaken and upset”.

Cash, bank cards and personal items were taken in the robbery, which was first reported on thepress.co.uk yesterday.

The bag was later found on a garage roof, but the woman’s purse is still missing.

The CCTV image released by North Yorkshire Police shows two men walking behind another woman before the bag-snatch, although no crime was committed on that occasion.

PC Colin Sutherland of York Police said: “This was a heartless act against an elderly member of our community.

“Everybody should be able to go about their daily business without the fear of this type of incident, and those responsible for this despicable act must be caught before they do the same again.”

One of the men in the image is about 17, with dark hair and facial hair. He was wearing a brown coat with the hood up and blue tracksuit bottoms with white stripes down each leg. The second man is taller, with a slim build, and was wearing a grey top and grey tracksuit trousers.

Officers have been carrying out “reassurance patrols” in the area since the bag was snatched and have appealed for anybody with information to phone police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111