A WOMAN was pushed to the ground while a man tried to steal her bag as she walked through an underpass in a County Durham town.

The 24-year-old was walking in an underpass in Stanley at about 9.30pm on Tuesday, August 14 when the incident happened.

As she entered the underpass under the A693, which leads from East Stanley to Clifford Road, in Stanley town centre, she was approached by a man who tried to pull her bag from her.

The bag was over her shoulders and she was pushed to the ground, where the suspect made another attempt to get the bag without success.

The suspect left the scene empty handed in the direction of east Stanley.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

The suspect is described as a white male, in his 20s, of medium build and about 5ft 10ins tall. He was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up.

The victim was left shaken and attended the University Hospital of North Durham for treatment to her hand and arm.

DC Chris Bentham said: “This was a horrible incident and it has really upset the victim.

"I would appeal to anyone with any information to contact us as soon as possible.”

  • Call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 135 of August 15, 2018.