A 68-year-old woman says she is “scared to live” in Croxley Green after a terrifying attack outside her home.

Annie Tew was taken to Watford General Hospital after a thug pushed her to the ground and stole her bag in Grove Crescent last Thursday night.

Miss Tew, who has lived in Croxley Green for 15 years, saw someone “lurking” behind the bushes. As she walked past, a man grabbed her handbag and tried to wrestle it off her.

After a struggle the thief pushed the 68-year-old to the ground. She dislocated her elbow and shoulder in the fall.

Neighbours ran out after hearing her shouting for help and called the emergency services. She has been told she cannot use public transport for six weeks due to her injuries.

“It was terrifying.” Miss Tew told the Watford Observer. “I am scared to death to be living here.

“I saw someone lurking behind the bushes. When you walk past someone you don’t really think too much about it. But he grabbed my bag and I tried to push him away, but he was just so much stronger than me. Then he pushed me to the ground.

“The paramedics had to lift me up because I could not move. It hurt too much to put pressure on that arm.

“It was dreadful.”

Since the attack the 68-year-old has been relying on the support of friends to get to hospital appointments and is considering moving out of the area.

The Vicar from Croxley Green Baptist Church Rev Dave Gregory has been helping Ms Tew with jobs around her home.

She added: “They have been looking after me very well and the minister at the Baptist church has been down to take me shopping.

“It has been very hard. At the moment, I can’t do anything, even things like cleaning."

Detectives believe the bag has been dumped in the Croxley Green area.

Officers are describing the suspect as a man, around 30 years old, with a slim build, black hair and a long face.

No arrests have been made.

Detective Constable Nick Surridge from the Local Crime Unit said: “We are conducting a full investigation into this incident. As part of this I would like to appeal to anyone who may have seen what happened or the man running from the scene to contact me.

“The victim’s bag has yet to be found so I’d ask anyone who may have seen a large black material bag discarded in the local area to report it to police.”

Anyone with any information in relation to this incident is asked to phone police via Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference C2/15/2356.