New Addington woman escapes robber's clutches

Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was punched in the face by a mugger who tried to snatch her handbag.

The woman had just got off a tram at Addington Village and had walked across Lodge Lane to Headley Drive in New Addington when the robber struck.

He approached her from behind and tried to snatch her bag, but she put up a struggle and so he punched her in the face.

She managed to hold on to her bag after being dragged to the floor before the mugger ran off towards Lodge Lane when members of the public came to her aid.

A police spokeswoman said: "We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the offence or saw the suspect running away."

DC Tim Shea, of South Norwood Police's Priority Crime Unit, said: "Some community spirited members of the public have already contacted us, but I would like to hear from anyone who has yet to come forward who could help us in the identification of this offender who committed a violent crime on an innocent woman going about her daily life."

The mugging happened shortly after 7pm on Friday, October 3.

The attacker is described as a black man in his early twenties. He was wearing a white hooded top.

Anyone with information should call DC Shea on 020 8649 1377 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.