Video shows 'senseless' attacker steal stick of 82-year-old lollipop man

The attack has left the lollipop man 'too traumatised' to return to work

The 82-year-old man has been a lollipop man for 14 years (West Midlands Police)

An elderly lollipop man was the victim of a “senseless” attack last week when a hooded man pushed him to the floor and stole his lollipop stick.

A video of the incident last Wednesday shows the 82-year-old, who has spent 14 years helping children to cross roads across Coventry, walking out to stop traffic when the thief confronts him.

The hooded man then grabs the lollipop stick, before a tussle between the two men sees the lollipop man dragged towards the curb and onto the floor.

The thief is then seen running off with the stick as passers-by run to help the dazed lollipop man.

Police are now looking for the man who they say is white, 6ft 2ins tall, of athletic build and in his late 20s to early 30s.

Detective Inspector Gareth Mason of West Midlands Police said: "This is a particularly senseless offence against an elderly man, who is carrying out a public duty.

"Since the attack the victim has been too distressed and shaken by what happened to return to work - something that has devastated him after so many years of devoted service.

"He also suffered injuries to his left side as a result of the fall.

"We are determined to identify the offender and request the help of the local community or anybody who witnessed the offence."

According to police, the lollipop man was eventually reunited with his stick after a passer-by spotted three men, one holding a lollipop stick, exiting a Vauxhall Vectra on a nearby road.

After confronting the men, police say he was able to retrieve the stick and hand it back to its owner.

Police have instructed anyone with any information on the incident to contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111