TWO robberies on two different women in Reading have been linked by Thames Valley Police.

A 77 year-old woman was approached by a man who grabbed and snapped the shoulder strap of her bag as she walked through Caroline Court at 12.30pm on Wednesday May 18.

During the struggle that ensued the victim dropped her umbrella which the man picked up before walking towards Bath Road.

Two days later at 6.10pm near Grovelands Road Medical Centre a 61 year-old woman was approached by a man on a bicycle who asked her for the time.

Before she could answer the man pushed his bike into the woman who fell into the wall. He then took her handbag before making off towards Oxford Road.

The offender in both incidents is white and about 5'5”, aged between 20 and 30 years-old and had very short hair.

Investigating officer PC Ben Symons of Reading CID said: "If you have any information about the incident please call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101."

If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court."