Police are hunting a male cyclist who tried to steal a woman’s handbag over the bank holiday weekend.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said the woman was walking along the footpath as it passes underneath Ashley Road towards St Albans at around 7.45am on Monday, August 25.

The offender approached her from behind on a bike and demanded she handed over her handbag.

The woman refused and the offender tried to snatch it from her before riding off empty handed along the Albans Way.

The offender is described as a white man, aged in his early 20s, of slim build, about six foot tall.     

He was wearing a navy blue zip-up hooded sweatshirt with a Lacoste logo on it and mid-blue jeans.

He was riding a silver/blue mountain bike with thin wheels and ‘Bianchi’ on the crossbar.    

Detective Sergeant Carolyn Taylder said: "The woman was fortunately uninjured but shaken by the attempted robbery.  We would like to speak to anyone who saw the incident or recognises the description of the offender to get in touch with us."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the St Albans Local Crime Unit on 101 quoting F1/14/2763 or alternatively Crimestoppers, the independent charity, on 0800 555 111.