A Battersea woman bravely fought off a man involved in a carjacking incident as he tried to steal her car keys last weekend.

The 25-year-old solicitor had returned to her home in Eccles Road at around 7.30pm on Saturday evening when she was attacked from behind after getting out of her car.

Screaming and shouting, she tried to fend off the attacker - who was part of a gang involving three other men who were waiting in a nearby vehicle.

During the attack one of the men reached into the woman's unlocked car and stole £1,000 worth of valuables, including cash, a mobile phone and new clothes.

The attempted theft was foiled however when a passer-by turned up and tried to block the escaping thieves who managed to drive off before the police arrived.

Speaking exclusively to the News, the woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "I tried to attract as much attention as possible by screaming and shouting. The police said it was not the first time it had happened. I was lucky. They thought I was an easy target. I could easily have lost a new car."

She added: "You don't think this will happen outside your own home. If they had had a weapon I wouldn't have done anything."

A spokesman at Battersea Police Station confirmed there had been a dozen reported incidents of this type over the last six months and advised victims to attract attention by shouting, remember descriptions of the attackers and phone 999 immediately.

All the men were black and in their early 20s. The main suspect is around 5ft 8ins, of medium build and was wearing a dark, hooded top and baggy trousers. Call 020 7350 1122 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

November 30, 2001 11:30