An elderly lady has been left badly shaken after being mugged in the street.

The 82-year-old was walking along Church Street near the junction with Kirkoswald Road in Newarthill on Wednesday afternoon.

She had been travelling on the 254 bus from Motherwell and had gotten off at High Street around 12.30pm.

The victim, who was wearing a purple puffer jacket, was then approached from behind by a stranger who grabbed her cream handbag.

He also snatched a brown paper Primark bag she was carrying before fleeing the scene.

While the woman was not injured, she was left incredibly upset by the ordeal and officers are trying to find the assailant, who ran off along Kirkoswald Road.

He is described as white, 5ft8, in his late 20s, with short dark hair.

He wore a beige jumper and blue jeans.

Detective Constable Alison Geal from Wishaw CID said: “This was a despicable and opportunistic robbery which left an elderly woman distressed and badly shaken.

“It is vital that we trace the man responsible and I am appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything at all suspicious to please come forward.

“I would particularly urge motorists with dash-cams to check their footage in case they have captured the victim, suspect, or even the incident taking place.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1733 of Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

"Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."