Dorset Police have released CCTV images of a man they wish to identify following an attempted robbery in Bournemouth. The incident took place at approximately 1:40pm on Monday 6 April 2026, targeting an elderly couple who had just withdrawn cash from a machine on Christchurch Road.
As the pair, both in their 70s, were walking along Annerley Road, a man approached from behind and grabbed the woman in an attempt to steal her handbag. Her partner intervened and managed to stop the suspect from taking the bag. Thankfully, neither victim was injured during the encounter, and no money was taken.
Police Constable Lewis Gravett of Dorset Police is leading the investigation and has released images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the force, or alternatively reach out to the independent charity Crimestoppers to report information anonymously.
This incident follows a similar pattern to a previous case in June 2025, when Tommy Burton, 43, of Bournemouth was jailed for 3 years and 8 months for robbing an elderly man at the Co-op ATM on Christchurch Road. That investigation was handled by the force’s Neighbourhood Crime Team, a specialist unit focused on tackling burglary and targeting prolific offenders.
While this incident remains under investigation, official figures indicate that robbery offences in the region have seen a significant decrease. Data from the Police and Crime Commissioner shows that robbery across the county fell by 22.7 per cent between October 2024 and September 2025, a trend that contrasts with a 0.4 per cent rise recorded nationally.
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