A PENSIONER suffered a dislocated shoulder and a bloody nose after fighting off a ten-year-old boy who tried to snatch her handbag.

The attack, on Tuesday afternoon (March 13), left police officers shocked by its brutality.

The baby-faced thug pushed the 75-year-old to the ground when he tried to steal her handbag. But she kept a tight grip on the bag, forcing her attacker to flee empty-handed.

Detective Sergeant Duncan Heywood, of Bury's Operational Police Unit, said he had never dealt with a violent attack on a pensioner by someone so young.

He said: "This is a shocking attack on a lady who had little chance of defending herself against a boy who is probably the apple of his parents' eye.

"All the officers working on this case are disgusted by its brutality and everyone is very keen to catch this thug."

DS Heywood praised the victim's bravery, adding: "She is a very determined lady who was not prepared to let him steal her property."

The offender was white with short fair hair. He was wearing a yellow anorak with a blue patch on the back and struck in Kings Road, Sedgley Park.

Detectives have already spoken to a member of the public who saw the attack. Anyone who knows the identity of the boy should contact Whitefield CID on 856 8248 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.