A WOMAN was robbed by a man who asked for directions before violently knocking her to the ground and running off with her handbag.

The 58-year-old victim was walking on her own along Ayton Avenue, in Grangetown, Sunderland, when the culprit approached her and asked the way to Straight Avenue.

As she went to tell him she did not know the street, he grabbed her bag from her shoulder with such force she fell to ground, breaking her right arm.

The suspect – described as a white, slim man, aged 18 to 25-years-old with a shaved face, wearing a cap with a hood over the top – then took off with her bag containing money, her mobile phone and bank card.

Detective Constable Kelly Sharp, of Northumbria Police, is investigating the robbery.

She said: “This has obviously left the victim feeling very shaken and afraid to walk alone.

“The location of the robbery was in a built up area with lots of houses so we’re appealing to people from the Ayton Avenue to please think back – did you see anything suspicious or anyone who might match the man’s description?

“Any information, no matter how insignificant you might fear it is, could really help us solve this case.”

Anyone with information about the incident, which took place at about 5.55pm on Saturday, May 2, is asked to get in touch with Northumbria Police via the Report an Incident function on the force website, quoting log 806 02/05/20, or by emailing 962@northumbria.pnn.police.uk