Woman, 63, critical after brutal theft of handbag

Valerie Dancer, 63, suffered severe head injuries in the attack and is critically ill in hospital. Her family are at her bedside.

Mrs Dancer - who has two sons aged 40 and 41 and is said by police to be well known in her community - was walking home from a friend's house in Hayes when she was set upon in an underpass.

Her beige handbag containing a purse and other items was stolen.

The pensioner was left lying beside the road after the attack and was airlifted to hospital by air ambulance because of the severity of her injuries.

Police cannot say whether she sustained her injuries in the attack or whether she got them when she fell down.

A teenager, described only as black and wearing dark clothing, was seen running from the scene towards Yeading Lane.

Detectives are waiting to interview Mrs Dancer to find out what happened and are examining the possibility that a weapon was used in the attack.

Police cannot say how much was stolen and are examining CCTV images of the street where the attack occurred. Detective Inspector Mark Brookes, the officer leading the investigation, said: "Valerie's family are distraught following this appalling attack and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed what took place or has any information to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information should phone 020 8246 1445 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

In another attack, a 31-year-old man was in hospital after being stabbed at 2am today as he walked along Chalk Farm Road in Camden. He is in a critical but stable state and police are investigating whether he was attacked with a screwdriver.