Gold Buying Shop owner Michael Popple, 81, can’t walk and is forced to shut up shop after attempted theft on Oddfellows Road in Newbury town centre

A business owner has had to shut up shop after being injured in an attempted robbery in Newbury town centre.

Michael Popple, 81, has been the owner of the Gold Buying Shop in The Arcade for seven years, having previously operated out of a unit in Bartholomew Street for three years.

On the evening of Thursday, February 20, Mr Popple was walking down the pavement on Oddfellows Road when a man on a bicycle tried to snatch his bag.

Mr Popple managed to keep hold of it and the cyclist escaped, but during the attempted robbery he fell to the floor and injured both of his legs.

Since the incident two weeks ago, he hasn’t been able to leave his house because he is unable to walk and so he has had to close his business temporarily until his legs heal.

Mr Popple expects it will be another fortnight until he is back to full health and is able to return to work.

He said: “I am not a young man anymore.

“We have got to do something for elderly people who are vulnerable.

“I am fortunate to have not come off worse.”

He also did not report the incident to the police, as he believed he wouldn’t be able to give a good enough description of the man who tried to snatch his bag.

This is the fifth time Mr Popple has been a victim of a theft or attempted theft in Newbury.

He also wanted to thank those who helped him following the incident, including a couple who helped get his car and then drive him home.