AN ELDERLY woman had her bag snatched in broad daylight just off Bromsgrove's High Street.

The 75-year-old was walking from the town centre to Windsor Street when a youth snatched her bag from her shoulder and ran off towards Chapel Street.

A passer-by chased the youth but the thief escaped. The woman's bag was later found on the ground in Chapel Street with the purse missing.

The passer-by later saw the youth walking towards him with the fleece he had been wearing earlier casually hung over his arm.

As the passer-by started to speak to the youth, he ran off, vaulting over a garden fence through Windsor Gardens and back on to Windsor Street.

The incident took place last Tuesday at about 4.50pm. Now police are appealing for witnesses.

PC Philippa Charlesworth, of Bromsgrove police, said: "Fortunately this elderly woman was not injured during this incident and the purse was later recovered.

"Our inquiries are continuing and although we have spoken to several witnesses, we would appeal to anyone else with information to get in touch, particularly anyone who recognises the offender."

The youth is described as a white male, 14 or 15-years-old with a stocky build, a round face and short dark hair. He was wearing a white shirt, black trousers and a thin black zip-up fleece jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Charlesworth at Bromsgrove police station on 08457 444888.