AN elderly woman was knocked to the ground and robbed of her purse by a youth riding a bike as she was walking along an alley-way in Kidderminster.

The 65-year-old woman, who had just collected her pension, was walking across Bewdley Hill and down an alley towards Perrett Walk when a cyclist appeared from the opposite direction.

The youth made a grab for her purse and the woman fell to the floor, injuring her hip.

He got off his bike and struggled with her before cycling off with the purse in the direction of Bewdley Hill.

The thief is described as white, of small build, and aged about 15 or 16. He was wearing a scarf, a red anorak with the hood up and a light-coloured tracksuit.