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A woman had her handbag stolen during a robbery in the Manchester region, despite striking the thief with her umbrella.
The incident occurred on Moss Park Road at its junction with Barton Road in Stretford at about 5.50pm on 15th June.
The victim, 40, was walking home from work when another woman tapped her on the shoulder, and tried to prise her handbag from her person as she turned around.
The two struggled over the bag, and the woman beat her attacker with an umbrella, but the offender pulled the bag free and fled in the direction of Barton Roa.
Police were contacted after the victim flagged down a passing motorist and raised the alarm.
The thief is described as white, of an average build, about 5ft 3in to 5ft 5in tall, and between 18 and 25-years-old. She wore a grey fine-knit Beanie hat and a navy blue Bubble-style jacket.
Police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
Police Constable Alastair Jones, of the Volume Crime Team, said: "This woman showed a lot of tenacity to fight back and try and stop her attacker from stealing her bag. However, clearly this thief was a very desperate individual as she withstood being struck with an umbrella and managed to escape with the bag.
"We need to catch this woman and I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward.
"This robbery happened on a busy street, in daylight hours, and there may well have been either people out walking their dogs or on their way home from work who witnessed it, or indeed passing motorists finishing work for the day may have seen some sort of grapple or altercation.
"If you did witness anything, or you have any information at all, then please call us."
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 7552 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
