Police want to trace the have-a-go hero who saved a woman from being mugged.

The attempted robbery happened outside the Methodist Church in Main Road, Harwich, when a woman, 69, was grabbed from behind by a teenage boy.

She fought off the attacker for more than a minute as he tried to steal her handbag.

It was only when a passer-by, a man in his late 30s, intervened that the boy and his friends ran off down Oakland Road.

Sgt Peter Wood, of Harwich police, praised both the victim and her good Samaritan.

He said: "She was very plucky and kept hold of her bag. The man who helped was obviously very public-spirited and we want to thank him for what he did."

The incident happened last Thursday at 4.30pm, when the woman was walking home past a gang of youths.

Anyone with information should contact PC Judith Currie at Harwich police on 01255 241312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Tuesday, September 21, 2004

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