I am an American girl who has lived in Coleford for three years. I love Coleford, it is where my husband was born and his family and we live. I have met a lot of wonderful people here.

My husband's family and the Coleford people have made me feel very welcomed, so needless to say I was very shaken when this happened.

I had been home sick for over three weeks on Friday night, November 22 and my husband took me to town for Chinese.

We went to Feathers, then ordered Chinese, went to Co-op. While my husband was in Co-op I needed to go back to Feathers. As I got to the council office a boy between 18-21? tripped me (I believe to have been on purpose).

Next thing I know I am on the ground, scraped and bruised, the boy gone in a flash along with my purse.

I go into Co-op to get my husband. There is a police officer there. He takes the information. My husband and I  look all over to find my purse to no avail.

We return home. Within an hour, the officer knocks on the door, purse in hand with nothing missing from it.

I now have a new hero, with a big S on his chest, Thank you so much PC Allen.

– Carol Ann Smith, Coleford.