A WOMAN was attacked and robbed of a £700 necklace while walking to her local newsagent.

Natasha Williams, who is 35 and from Stevenage, said she had been walking to buy cigarettes from a shop in Bedwell Crescent in the town when four teenage boys began verbally harassing her.

After shouting at her, one of them allegedly hit Miss Williams in the face before tearing the expensive pendant from her neck and running away with it, shouting: “Don’t you talk to my boys like that.”

Another boy circled her on his bike before hitting her on the back of her head.

The incident, which occurred between 5pm-6pm on September 1, has left her “terrified”, Miss Williams said.

Having recently moved to the area, she said she now feels she may be forced to move again after the violent altercation.

“They were so vicious,” added Miss Williams. “I had been ready to settle down here but now I don’t feel like I can walk around my own neighbourhood and I can’t sleep when I’m at home.

“That necklace was a special gift from my father, who I don’t see very often, and I am devastated that it has been taken from me.

“I hope the police do everything in their power to get it back.

“I never expected such an awful thing to happen when I moved here. It is not right that these children can act in this way and not feel the repercussions.”

Hertfordshire police are currently investigating and analysing CCTV footage. Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward. If you have any information, contact the non-emergency number 101