Robbers punch woman in face

Police are hunting robbers who punched a woman in the face as they tried to steal her handbag.

The 21-year-old woman was sitting on a bench by the side of a river in Thames Street, in Sunbury, Surrey, when she was approached by two youths.

They tried to snatch her handbag from her but she screamed for help to her 29-year-old husband, who was returning from a nearby toilet.

He tried to push the pair away but the first offender grabbed at him and tore his shirt, a Surrey Police spokesman said.

Self-defence

The second youth, who continued to try to take the bag, then punched the woman in the face and hit her husband on the bag of the head.

The pair failed to steal the handbag but escaped with a mobile phone belonging to the husband worth £250.

The first offender was white, aged 17 to 18, with short blond hair and was skinny. He wore a white cap, green hooded Gap jumper and jeans.

The second suspect was described as Asian-looking, of a similar age and build as the first youth, and had short dark hair with a moustache or beard.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call Surrey Police.