TWO men have been arrested and local residents have told of their shock after two women were mugged in the space of three days in York.

A pensioner in her 70s was robbed of her gold jewellery on Wednesday night as she walked home in The Groves, and a woman in her 30s had her handbag stolen on Monday nearby.

Two York men aged 38 and 42 were arrested on Wednesday night and were last night still being questioned by officers.

The first robbery was at around 10pm on Monday as the victim was walking on the footbridge beside Filey Terrace, behind York Hospital and the York-Scarborough railway line. The second was on Penley's Grove Street at around 11pm on Wednesday.

Both victims were left shaken, but did not need hospital treatment.

Helen Suchecki, a resident of Eldon Street in The Groves said elderly people should stay off the streets at night following the second attack as the woman was walking home from a night at York Clarence Club in Clarence Street.

She said: "There are a lot of old people around here and if they are walking around on their own they should know this is happening. I work next to Lowther Street and I'm worried about going out now.

"They shouldn't be going out to the shop when it's dark."

Robert Shanks, landlord at the Castle Howard Ox, said the second victim was drinking in his pub on the night of the mugging.

He said: "Any muggings in this day and age are disgusting and it often comes down to drugs and alcohol.

"I was shocked and surprised when I heard who it had happened to because she's lived around here for a long time.

"She should be safe around here. I always feel safe, but it makes you wonder about what could happen. You only feel safe until something like this happens.

"It's a shocking time and everyone I've spoken to in here about it is surprised it was her."

Friend Sandra Bruce, 53, said: "The people that have done this are scum and there's no need for it.

"I've known her for years and it will knock her confidence.

"She is only small and I don't think anything like this has happened to her before. She will be devastated. So many people know her and it's going to be hard.

"You hear of people robbing others for £10 and it's awful."

Another resident of The Groves, who declined to be named, added: "She's an easy target but they will do it to anyone.

"People like that target people because they know they won't fight back, and it's just unfortunate.

"It's a desperate time for some people and they will do whatever they can to get money."

Anyone with information should call police on 101.