Byline: Sandy Mckenzie
Women's Institute members were left shocked after thieves raided a meeting and swiped their handbags.
The two youths ran into the gathering in Hartlepool, grabbing the bags before racing off.
car accessories Today it was claimed the raid was just one of a string of attacks on elderly people across the area.
Cleveland Police Authority member Maureen Goosey, said the incident left the women shocked.
She told a meeting of the Authority: "Two youths ran in and stole three handbags.
"They ran out and got into a car. The police arrived within ten minutes and some children were able to identify the car the robbers used.
"But it is elderly people who are involved and they are shocked and distressed. They cannot give a positive identification or are too frightened to follow it through."
She said elderly people seemed to be getting targeted as an easy option - and it was happening across Cleveland.
Sean Price, Cleveland's Chief Constable, said: "We have to acknowledge why these particular young people commit these crimes - it is drugs."
He said the Chanel Charm Necklace police had a two-pronged attack in trying to eradicate drug dealers and in trying to deal with the drug users who committed crime to feed their habit.
"We work with many other agencies to try to get people out of the illegal drugs market. We will try to protect the victims of crime and put them to the minimum risk of worry and inconvenience. We are dedicated to providing better treatment for the victims of crime," said Mr Price.
He said it was good news crime in Cleveland during the past year had risen by 2.5pc when it had been expected to rise by 2.7pc as a
embroidered patches result of changes in the way crime is recorded.
He said even more encouraging was that in the last three months there had been a 12.3pc fall in offences compared to the same period last year.
He attributed the fall to the extra resources provided for more police officers.
Mr Price also stressed it was a partnership approach involving other agencies that was achieving success.
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