An 80-year-old woman was knocked to the ground but managed to cling onto her handbag during an attempted mugging.

The pensioner had been walking along Brighton Road, Surbiton, carrying her shopping and her handbag when a man ran past her and tried to grab her bag.

She fell to the ground but kept hold of the bag suffering a slight injury to her shoulder.

Police believe a resident at the YMCA came to the woman's aid at 4pm on Thursday, January 16.

The only description officers have of the man is that he is white and was wearing dark blue trousers and blue and white trainers.

Anyone who has any information regarding this incident is asked to telephone Detective Constable Franco Massimo on 020 8541 1212.

January 31, 2003 11:00