POLICE have revealed shocking photographs of an elderly woman who was dragged behind her own car when a thief stole the vehicle.

Beryl Allsop, aged 79, was left with serious injuries to her head after the incident, which happened in the car park of Morrisons on Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton.

Shortly after 8.55pm on Tuesday, December 11, Ms Allsop was returning to her car when she was approached by a man who grabbed her keys before stealing her blue Vauxhall Astra.

As the offender drove away, Beryl was dragged along with the car causing serious injuries to her face and head.

Emergency services attended and Beryl was taken to hospital for treatment where she remains in a stable condition.

Enquiries are ongoing, and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Alex Wilkinson, of GMP’s Oldham borough, said: “Beryl received particularly nasty injuries in this incident, and she has been left terrified by what has happened to her.

“The man responsible for preying on an elderly woman is an absolute coward and we are doing everything we can to find him, but we need the public’s help.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of Morrisons car park around 9pm on Tuesday evening who saw anyone acting suspiciously.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4555 or 101, quoting incident number 2178 of 11/12/18 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.