Berlin - An 83-year-old German pensioner chased down a thief less than half her age and berated the man until he returned her handbag.

Police in the southern city of Augsburg said the 38-year-old man fled after he lifted the bag from a basket on the woman's bicycle.

The pensioner jumped on to the bicycle and pursued him across a nearby park.

Once caught, the man tried unsuccessfully to push the woman over. The pensioner then scolded him until he returned the bag.

The thief fled but he was later arrested by police.