Croydon: Teenage girl arrested after 87-year-old woman punched in face on bus

A 14-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm (ABH) after an elderly woman was punched in the face on a bus in south London. Police issued an appeal for information after the 87-year-old was attacked on the 166 bus in Croydon on 16 October.

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

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

A 14-year-old girl has been taken to a south London police station where she remains in custody. Officers have also identified the second female involved in the incident but she has not been arrested at this time.

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."