A knifeman left a young mum "very distraught" after a mugging in Hither Green last night.

One woman, who has lived in Fernrbrook Crescent for four years, said she heard a scream outside her home at around 9pm.

"It was a very loud scream," she told News Shopper.

"I was a bit scared initially because my husband was in the loft and I didn’t have time to run up to him."

The resident, who asked not to be named, said she found a woman laying in the road as another neighbour assisted her.

She offered aid and said the victim was "very distraught and in shock" after claiming to have been mugged by a knifeman just seconds earlier.

"Somebody had been walking behind her and she turned around and he pulled a massive knife, those were her words," the resident said.

The victim screamed before throwing her handbag at the mugger who reportedly ran off with another man.

According to the resident, the woman was a local mum who said she routinely walked from Hither Green railway station at night.

She was physically unhurt, and helpers stayed with her until police arrived minutes later.

"It was scary to be honest," the concerned neighbour said. "I have walked home from that station every evening pretty much around that time.

"Nothing has ever happened to me, so it is pretty shocking."

The Met Police said they assisted a woman in her 40s who had been threatened by a knifeman. 

A spokesman added: "He then fled the scene on foot with the victim's handbag.

"It is believed a second male suspect was also involved."

No arrests have been made and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 with CAD 7347/05Feb.