Police appeal over handbag snatch

POLICE are appealing for information after a 21-year-old woman had her handbag snatched in South Shields. The victim was walking along the footpath from Brockley Whins Metro station towards Biddick Hall Estate between 1pm and 1.20pm on Thursday, September 30, when she was approached from behind and had her handbag snatched. The mugger then ran off tow ADVERTISEMENTards Brockley Whins Metro station. Detectives have now released this e-fit image of a man they want to trace. He is white, about 5ft 10ins tall, aged 18 to 21 and skinny. He had a long oval face, wide, round eyes with a distinctive black ring around them, small facial features and a pale complexion. He was wearing a hoody with navy and grey wide horizontal stripes, and dark trousers and white trainers. Detective Sergeant Sharon Chatterton, from South Tyneside CID, said: "Thankfully, the woman wasn't injured but she was left extremely shaken by the incident. "We are carrying out extensive enquiries to locate this offender. "This incident happened in the early afternoon when many people would have been going about their daily business. "I would appeal to any witnesses, particularly people who were using the Metro in the area and may have seen this man or the incident, to come forward. Anyone who recognises the man from the image should also contact us."