Police are hoping to trace the handbag of a 70-year-old who was left in a critical condition after she was attacked outside her home.

Marian Botos, of Curzon Avenue, Stanmore, was assaulted on Saturday, November 7 and the thief made off with her handbag.

It is a slim brown leather rectangular bag, in a clutch style with a zip top and a long-thin shoulder strap. In it was a black purse with a metal clip fastening, black fabric gloves and red lipstick.

The handbag, pictured, has still not been recovered

Harrow Times:

She had caught the bus home from shopping in Edgware after spending the day selling poppies for the Royal British Legion.

The suspect is a white man, aged in his late 30s and 5ft 8ins tall and was wearing a grey or dark coloured top, black trainers and a dark coloured hat. It is believed that he fled the scene in a white large estate-type van, a Ford Transit Connect.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Chalmers, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC), who is leading the investigation said: "We are urging anyone who recognises this handbag to come forward and help us with our enquiries.

"It is fairly distinctive; someone may have found it discarded in the street or saw Marian's attacker in possession of it when he fled the scene.

"Marian remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition. She was practically on her doorstep when she was attacked and robbed of her handbag and I would urge anyone who may know something that may help us catch the person responsible then please get in touch."

Two men, a 45-year-old and a 44-year-old, were arrested on suspicion of robbery on Friday, November 13 and have been bailed.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Incident Room on 0208 358 0100, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.