77-Year-Old Woman Fights Off Robbers at ATM — “They Chose the Wrong Pensioner”

Mrs. Winifred Peel, 77, from Bromborough, was using a NatWest ATM when three young men approached and tried to rob her. What happened next turned her into an unexpected local hero.

According to BBC News, Mrs. Peel had just started her transaction when one of the men tried to push her aside while another reached for her cash. But instead of freezing in fear, she acted swiftly — and bravely.

Realizing she was being attacked, Mrs. Peel grabbed one of the men by the collar and slammed his head against the ATM multiple times. Her quick thinking startled the group, forcing them to flee empty-handed.

“I wasn’t going to let them get away with it,” she later said. Despite her age, Mrs. Peel’s fierce response disrupted the robbery and helped police catch the suspects soon after.

The stolen amount was reported to be £200, but her courage — along with clear CCTV footage from the ATM — played a vital role in identifying and arresting the three men involved.

Local authorities praised Mrs. Peel’s bravery, noting that her resistance likely prevented further crimes. “She showed incredible composure under pressure,” a police spokesperson said.

The incident quickly went viral, with many online calling her “Britain’s toughest gran.” Social media users applauded her courage, saying the attackers “picked the wrong pensioner.”

Though shaken, Mrs. Peel said she hopes her story reminds others — especially seniors — to stay alert and trust their instincts. “You never know how strong you are until you have to be,” she said.

Her bravery didn’t just stop a robbery — it inspired thousands, proving that courage and quick thinking can come from the most unexpected heroes.