A pensioner broke her hip when she was mugged in broad daylight in an Aberdeen street.
The 73-year-old fell to the ground when a thief grabbed her handbag in Canal Street, Woodside, on Saturday.
The woman was with her 41-year-old son, who has learning disabilities, when she was attacked.
She was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by ambulance.
Yesterday, a family friend who is helping to care for the victim’s son, said: “She has broken her hip and needs to have a hip replacement operation, so she will be in the hospital for quite a while.
“At her age, it could take a while to recover.
“It’s just terrible.
“Something like this affects so many lives, just so someone can go out and steal a little bit of money.
“He obviously didn’t think of the consequences. She was just an easy target for him.
“This is just awful.
“She said it happened quick as a flash. She had her bag on her wrist so he just pulled the bag and she went over. She’s just a little woman.”
The incident happened at around 3pm.
Several members of the public who saw what happened gave chase and managed to retrieve the woman’s handbag, which contained her purse and a small amount of money.
Last night, ward councillor Lesley Dunbar said she planned to raise the issue of safety with local policing teams and community wardens.
She said: “I am aware that there have been previous muggings in the area and incidents like this clearly give local residents a message that Woodside is not a safe place. It is important that we do something to mitigate that.
“I was really disappointed to hear that this had happened to a lady who was just going about her business on a Saturday afternoon.
“The impact will be quite devastating for her, especially when she has got someone dependent on her for their care.”
Police last night renewed an appeal for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to get in touch.
The suspect is described as being in his early 30s and of medium build.
He was wearing a navy blue hooded top and dark track-suit bottoms.
Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.