Croydon: 87-year-old woman punched in face by teenage girl on bus

Police are appealing for information after an 87-year-old woman was punched on a bus in Croydon in south London. Officers from the Croydon Safer Transport Team want to speak to two teenage girls following the assault on the 166 bus on 16 October.

CCTV footage shows the two female suspects, aged between 14 and 18, getting on the bus at Brighton Road, Coulsdon, without paying. An argument then breaks out between the girls and the bus driver, resulting in a majority of the other passengers getting off.

As the elderly victim stands up, one of the suspects punches her in the face before both of the teenagers run off. The victim was taken by the London Ambulance Service to St Helier Hospital and discharged later that day after suffering a black eye.

Police Sergeant Arran Hillier, from the Croydon Safer Transport Team, said: "This was a nasty attack on an elderly woman, who just wanted to get home. I urge anyone who may recognise the suspects to contact the police."

Anyone who has any information should contact PS Hillier on 07825 386424 or via 101. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.