Metropolitan Police Custody Centre, Croydon. Pic: Peter Trimming

A 16 year old boy has been arrested on suspicion of the robbery and assault of a pensioner in Croydon.

The suspect allegedly left the 85-year-old woman with “life-changing” injuries after stealing her bag at 4.00pm in Dennett Road on October 1.

The victim was approached while walking near to an alleyway before being approached by a black male wearing a white T-shirt.

Detectives say that the male grabbed the handbag, which contained a mobile phone, an address book and a diary, before grabbing her wrist and dragging her into a nearby alleyway.

The woman fell over from the force of him pulling her, hitting her face on the ground, whilst the assailant fled towards Lambeth Road.

The victim was taken to a hospital in south London, where she is currently receiving treatment.

The teenager remains in custody at a South London police station.

If you have any information or witnessed the incident, please contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.