A young mother was dragged to her knees by a would-be thief who tried to steal her handbag.

Police are linking the incident to a handbag snatch, an hour later, two streets away.

The woman was out with her four-year-old child in Lisle Road, Colchester, when a man in his 20s tried to snatch her bag. She was pulled down on to her knees, causing grazing, but refused to let go of the bag.

The man is described as white, slim and 6ft tall, wearing a beige Puffa-style jacket and baseball cap.

He may have been wearing a check shirt.

Nearly an hour later, three women were walking through the recreation ground, off Old Heath Road, when they passed a man lying on the grass, near the toilets.

He jumped up, grabbed one of the women's handbags and ran off towards Old Heath Road.

He is described as white, slim, aged 20 to 25, wearing a red check shirt, blue jeans and white trainers.

A police spokesman said: "There were quite a few people in the park, people playing football, someone must know who this man is."

Witnesses should contact Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously,on 0800 555111

Published Thursday, April 17, 2003

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