A man was pushed over and attacked with his own umbrella in Hitchin by a robber who then walked off with the brolly at the weekend.

Police said the robbery happened in Old Hale Way at about 3.50pm on Saturday when, after a brief exchange with the victim, a man pushed him the ground.

He took the man’s umbrella, struck him with it and then walked off with it.

Officers have since released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the robbery.

Det Con Kerry Burrows, from the Hitchin local crime unit, said: “While the image we have is not great quality, the clothing the man is wearing is quite distinctive. He has been described as being an Asian man, aged in his late 30s to early 40s, over 6ft tall with a long black bushy beard to his chest.

“The trousers he is wearing have a yellow stripe down each leg. I would like to speak to this man as he may be able to progress our enquiries.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area between the times stated, or has any further information that could assist us with our investigation.”

Anyone with information should email kerry.burrows@herts.pnn.police.uk, get in touch through herts.police.uk/report, or call 101 and quote crime reference G1/18/1349.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.