TERRIFIED pensioners have been left traumatised after a spate of horror attacks.

An 80-year-old woman had to undergo emergency surgery for multiple wrist fractures after a yob riding a bike yanked a bag off her shoulder causing her to fall on the pavement.

Another 86-year-old woman was also knocked over after a hooded thief snatched her bag as she pushed her wheeled Zimmer frame home from the shops.

In a third attack in Atherton a few weeks earlier a 72-year-old woman was targeted as she withdrew money from a cash machine, while a man the same age was robbed on his doorstep in Leigh.

Relatives have criticised police for a lack of officers patrolling the streets and claimed that Atherton and Leigh are becoming 'the crime capitals of the north west'.

But Greater Manchester Police say 'significant progress is being made' to catch the culprits – with one arrest having been made – and 'robust policing measures are in place' to prevent further attacks.

Inspector Liz Sanderson, from GMP's Wigan borough division, said: “We are acutely aware of a recent spate of robberies in the Atherton and Leigh areas.

“I would like to reassure the community that officers are actively investigating these crimes and every effort is being made to bring those responsible to justice.

“In relation to two incidents, a man has now been traced and charged with the robbery of a woman and the armed robbery of a business.

“It is understandable that reports of such incidents will be concerning for some residents but I can assure the community that significant progress is being made with our investigations and, as always, robust policing measures are in place.”

The 80-year-old victim, who does not wish to be named, had a bag containing £32, house keys and a bank card snatched on the corner of Derby Street and Bag Lane in Atherton on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 21.

The bag was subsequently discovered a short distance away.

Her son said: "Atherton and Leigh seem like the crime capitals of the north west at the moment and you don't see any police on the streets any more, with Leigh Police Station largely used by officers to park up their cars and to clock in and out.

"My mother is just 4ft 8ins and weighs 9st.

"When my brother found her after the attack she was sat on the pavement in tears.

"At the time the police were very good and said they would call an ambulance as her left wrist was hurting and she had bit her lip as she hit the pavement, but she didn't want any fuss.

"Subsequently it turned out she had fractured her wrist and had to have an operation to pin it together at Wrightington Hospital."

The attacker of the 80-year-old is described as white, in his late teens or early 20s, around 5ft 6ins with a slim build.

He was wearing a green parka-like jacket with the hood up, a hat and a scarf covering his face and was riding a small, dark grey and black BMX bike.

A bike which was abandoned a short distance away has been sent for forensic examinations.

The 86-year-old victim, Edna Dagnall, had a bag containing £20 snatched outside her sheltered accommodation at Hesketh Manor on Bullough Street in Atherton at around 9pm on Boxing Day.

The former pub landlady is now scared to leave her sheltered accommodation.

Her son Harry said: "My mum, who has mild dementia, suffered a fall the day before in which she injured her eye, so she was already unstable on her feet.

"Fortunately when the robber pushed her, instead of hitting the ground she fell onto her Zimmer frame.

"The attack has really shaken her up. She is wary during the day and stays in bed."

Her attacker was wearing dark clothing, including a hooded top.

Anyone with information about the attacks, or the robberies of the 72-year-old woman at an ATM outside Asda on Bolton Road in Atherton at around noon on December 5 or the 72-year-old man outside his house on Widdows Street in Leigh at approximately 2.30pm on December 15, should call police on 101.