An 82-year-old woman could have been killed when she was knocked to the ground by a mugger, her son said last night .The youth rode up on a bicycle behind Gwendoline Joyce as she was walking in Seabank Way, King's Lynn, on Sunday morning, knocking her over and snatching her bag.

An 82-year-old woman could have been killed when she was knocked to the ground by a mugger, her son said last night .

The youth rode up on a bicycle behind Gwendoline Joyce as she was walking in Seabank Way, King's Lynn, on Sunday morning, knocking her over and snatching her bag.

Last night she was in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, awaiting surgery on a fractured hip.

Mrs Joyce's son Mick said: “She's very shaken up. She's had a heart bypass, she's frail and that could have killed her, there are no two ways about it.

“It's really messed her up, her heart could have given up at any minute with the fright of it.

“I'm a North Lynner and I know a few wrong'uns myself, but no way would they stoop this low. I don't know anyone who'd do this to an old lady, they must be sick in the head.”

Mrs Joyce suffered bruising and grazes to her arms, as she tried to fight off her attacker and stop him stealing her bag.

The mugging happened at about 8.45am on Sunday. Mrs Joyce had just been to the shops to buy a newspaper and was on her way home.

The mugger grabbed her shopping bag, which contained her purse, and rode off in the direction of Newlands Avenue.

Investigating officer Det Sgt Pete Jessop of King's Lynn CID said: “This was a despicable crime carried against a vulnerable elderly lady.

“The offender casually rode off with the victim's bag, leaving her lying distressed and in pain on the pavement.

“We are sure the wider community will be as appalled as we are by his actions and would urge anyone with information about the person responsible to contact the police as soon as possible.

“We are also keen to hear from any other witnesses, especially the man who helped the woman as she lay on the ground and a group of girls seen in Seabank Way at the time.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Richard Moden at King's Lynn CID on 0845 456 4567. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to police by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.

Detectives are particularly keen to contact a man with a young child in a push chair, who called for an ambulance for Mrs Joyce.

The purse contained what was described as a substantial quantity of cash. The attacker was believed to have been wearing a beige hooded top, bearing the words New York.

The woman's shopping bag was black on one side and multi-coloured on the other. The purse containing the stolen cash was blue, with two zips.

Anyone with information should call DC Richard Moden, at King's Lynn CID.