Police hunt as 70-year-old man attacked so badly at cash machine he lost his hearing

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A 70-year-old man has lost his hearing in one ear after he was violently robbed while withdrawing cash from an ATM.

A man approached the victim from behind, assaulted him and knocked him to the ground in northwest London, the Metropolitan Police said. While the man lay unconscious a woman stole his money from the ATM in the “premeditated attack”.

Officers were called to Ealing Road, Wembley, on Sunday 31 March and discovered the victim with a fractured skull.

He has since lost hearing in one ear and now has mobility issues, meaning he has had to stop work. The two suspects fled the scene and on Saturday the Met released CCTV footage that they say shows the pair having a discussion in the street.

Do you know the victim? Email holly.evans@independent.co.uk

Detective Sergeant Muhamed Ahmed, from the priority crime unit which covers Wembley, said: “We have searched through many hours of CCTV and we believe we know who we are looking for – a woman can be seen in a fur hoodie with camouflage trousers hovering around the area where the ATM machine is.

“The same woman can then be seen speaking with another suspect, a man with a dark beard wearing a jacket with the hood up.

“The CCTV then later shows them both running away after the robbery.

“I am appealing to the public for help – if you know or recognise either of the suspects, then please come forward to police.

“This was a premeditated attack which left an elderly man injured.”

The force said anybody with information can call 101 quoting CAD5682/31MAR24 or speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.