A DOG walker was left shaken by a man who attempted to steal her handbag and threatened to hurt her animals.

At around 6.55am on Saturday January 29, a woman was walking her two Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs over the new bridge on the A171 into Whitby, in the direction of Whitby sixth form college.

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She she was approached by a man dressed in dark clothing who demanded she hand over her handbag and purse and made threats to harm her dogs.

The woman explained that she was not carrying any cash and the man left.

Thankfully the woman and her dogs were unharmed, but the incident left her very shaken.

A man in his thirties has been arrested in connection with the incident and currently remains on police bail.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, who may have witnessed anything suspicious to contact them.

They would particularly like to hear from any motorists or cyclists who passed over the bridge around that time who may have captured camera footage of either the incident, the woman walking her two distinctive dogs.

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One of her dogs was wearing a ‘caution’ vest.

Police are also keen to hear from anyone who saw suspicious manin the area of the sixth form college or the Helredale Road side of the bridge.

Anyone who has information which could assist the investigation is asked to dial 101, select option 1 and speak to the Force Control Room. Quote reference 12220016287.

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