Robber tries to run down woman

Bedfordshire Police have appealed for information

A robber tried to run a woman over after snatching her handbag as she walked down a village street.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the robbery in Slip End in Bedfordshire.

The woman was walking along Front Street in Slip End between 1800 and 1815 GMT on Saturday when a small white car pulled up beside her.

Bedfordshire Police said the man asked for directions but as the 22-year-old walked up to the car he opened the door grabbed her handbag and drove forward.

Although the victim was not seriously hurt this was a frightening ordeal

Detective Constable Wendy Richards

The woman held onto her bag and was pulled along the street before the driver stopped and used both hands to pull the bag away causing his victim to fall over.

Officers said he then reversed back at the woman who managed to scramble out of the way.

He drove off towards Pepperstock with the bag which contained £20 in cash.

'Considerable force'

Detective Constable Wendy Richards, investigating, urged anyone who saw the car, or the offender, to come forward.

"Although the victim was not seriously hurt this was a frightening ordeal," she said.

"Not only did the offender use considerable force to steal her handbag, but he actually reversed back towards her."

The robber is described as white, in his late 30s, 5 ft 8 in tall, of medium build with dark eyes and short cropped light brown hair.

He had a round face, fair complexion and wore a white short sleeved T-shirt, blue denim jeans and white trainers.