AN APPEAL has been launched for witnesses to come forward, following a robbery in Hitchin on Friday.

A woman was approached by a man in Water Lane at the junction with Balliol Road at around 11.30pm on Friday.

The man attempted to snatch her bag, but the woman did not let go, so the man threatened to hit her before managing to snatch her bag.

After the incident, the 40 year old victim from Hitchin, who was not injured during the incident, chased down the offender and shouted at him.

“The woman shouted at the offender quite a lot and I would hope that someone in the area would have heard her,” said DC Jeanette Walker who is investigating.

The offender is described as a white man aged between 17 and 23, between 5ft 9ins and 5ft 10ins tall, with short black hair. He was said to have blood on his nose and to the right hand side of his mouth.

Anyone who thinks they saw or heard anything can call the non-emergency number on 0845 33 00 222, or Crimestoppers Anonymous on 0800 555 111.