Detectives are hunting a robber who pushed a pregnant mum to the ground and stole her handbag.

The harrowing incident took place in Rochester Way, on the Craylands Estate, Basildon, as the 23-year-old woman was returning home.

She was attacked by a shaven-headed man who forced her on to the pavement as she walked into the road at 6.10pm on Wednesday.

He ripped the bag out of her hands and ran off with the contents, which included cash and various credit and bank cards.

The victim suffered injuries to her arm and bruises.

Investigating officer Det Con Andrew Jackson, of Basildon CID, said: "This man obviously has no regard for people's health and we need to catch him as quickly as possible.

"We are carrying out a number of investigations but it is over to the public now to help us trace this man."

The robber was white, medium build, 5ft 10ins tall and about 25-years-old. He wore a black jacket and red baseball cap at the time of the attack.

The attack is the fourth robbery to have taken place in Craylands in the past week but detectives have not linked him with these yet.

Anyone with information about the Rochester Way robbery should call Det Con Jackson on 01268 244009 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.