POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a pensioner was injured by a thief who pushed her in to a wall and snatched her handbag.

The 71-year-old was returning from a shopping trip in Green Lanes on Friday at 8.30pm when she was grabbed from behind and shoved in to a pebble-dashed wall in Lodge Drive, Palmers Green.

She was taken to Edmonton's North Middlesex Hospital suffering from cuts to her face, cheek, hand and leg. The thief escaped with a black leather handbag containing £40, a brown leather purse, a mobile phone and keys.

Police believe there were witnesses in the area at the time. Anyone with information should contact Edmonton police on 8345 4441.