A pensioner in her 70s sustained facial injuries after a man grabbed her bag and pushed her while she was walking with her grandchildren.

The incident took place in Normandy Road, St Albans, at 1.19pm on Monday, February 12.

The woman clung onto her bag but was pulled with such force that she fell to the ground.

The man ran off with her bag towards Lodge Surgery.

He is described as a white man, aged in his 20's, wearing a grey hooded top and work-style boots.

Detective Constable Spencer Dicks from the St Albans Local Crime Unit said the victim was “very shocked” by the attack.

He said: “This is particularly shocking giving the victim was with her two grandchildren, enjoying half term.

“She is understandably very shocked by what happened. This type of incident is very unusual for St Albans and we are carrying out a thorough investigation to identify the offender.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area yesterday and believes they saw the incident or the man described to contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Spencer Dicks by emailing spencer.dicks@herts.pnn.police.uk or via the Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference F1/18/715. You can also report information online at www.herts.police.uk/report.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.