Girls arrested over woman's wedding ring theft

The alleged robbery took place at The Paddocks on Friday 9 August

Two teenage girls have been arrested on suspicion of robbery after the wedding ring of an 80-year-old woman was stolen from her hand.

Essex Police said the incident happened at The Paddocks, close to Ingatestone train station, on Friday 9 August shortly after 14:30 BST.

Two people holding clipboards were reported to have approached the woman, before she was pushed and her ring taken.

Police managed to find a ring matching that description and arrested two girls aged 15 and 17, who have since been released on bail.

Detectives said they had been given detailed descriptions of the people involved.

"Officers were quickly on the scene and carried out a search of the area and stopped and searched two girls.

"That search resulted in a gold ring matching the description of the victim’s ring being discovered."

Inspector Phoebe Dawson, of Grays and Brentwood local policing team, said: "To be able to reunite this sentimental item with its owner is exactly why we do the job we do.

"Thanks to how quickly the report came in and the descriptions given to us, we were able to make two quick arrests and the investigation will progress with the Crown Prosecution Service."

The girls were arrested on suspicion of robbery and fraud, with a bail condition not to enter Ingatestone.