WANSTEAD has been branded a no-go area after two violent robberies saw one woman punched in the face and a pensioner left with serious injuries.

An 80-year-old woman had just got off a bus in Hermon Hill and was walking down Sylvan Road last Thursday afternoon when she was pushed to the ground.

She tried to hang on to her shopping bag containing a skirt she had just bought and £4.80 in cash but was forced to let go.

The attacker was seen climbing onto the back of a moped.

A second moped at the scene is being connected to the incident. There were three attackers, all described as being black and about 16 years old.

The woman was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital and treated for a dislocated shoulder and fractured collarbone.

A 28-year-old woman had just got off the Tube at 12.30am on Sunday and was walking along Grosvenor Road when she heard footsteps behind her.

As she turned round she was punched in the face by a black man who was about 5ft 7ins tall, aged 18, with short, dark brown hair and wearing a pink polo t-shirt.

Another black man who was said to be 5ft 8ins and also 18, grabbed the woman's bag from her shoulder.

Both men ran off towards Wanstead High Street.

The woman was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital and was said to be extremely distressed'.

Snaresbrook ward councillor Sue Nolan is worried that such crimes are preventing people from going about their daily lives.

She said: "Wanstead is clearly becoming a bit of a no-go area and I'm hearing from a lot of residents that they are frightened to go out especially the elderly.

"We've had some very serious crimes recently. I don't think it's something that's just happening in Wanstead, but we do need a greater police presence, not just during the night but in the day as well.

"The police do a great job but they admit themselves that they need more cover."

A police spokeswoman said: "These are two appalling attacks on vulnerable people with the assailants having no thought for the impact on the victims. If you become a victim of a robbery don't take risks - cash and goods can be replaced but you can't."

Anyone with information on the robberies should fduxberry@london.newsquest.co.uk