POLICE have released an e-fit of a man who forcibly tried to grab a handbag from a lone woman in broad daylight.

The attempted robbery took place at around 1.30pm on Wednesday, August 20 when a 48-year-old woman was attacked by the man in Hartlepool.

He approached her in an alleyway between Durness Grove and Brierton Lane and there was a struggle before the suspect made off empty handed.

The victim was left shaken but uninjured.

The man is described as a white male, around 5ft 8in t-5ft 9” aged in his late twenties to early thirties wearing a grey bomber style jacket and black tracksuit bottoms.

Any witnesses or anyone who may know the identity of the man in the E-fit is asked to contact DC Simon Clark on the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.