Witham police have told women they should not be afraid of using the town's River Walk after the latest in a string of incidents on the path.

On Friday a young woman was pushed off her bike and robbed as she cycled along the isolated path at lunchtime.

In recent months there have been a number of incidents on River Walk, some of which have involved indecent exposures.

But Sgt Dave Bouckley at Witham Police said it was no more dangerous than any other quiet footpath.

"There have been two or three incidents down there and it is a bit isolated," said Sgt Bouckley.

"During the day it is generally safe, but late at night or early in the morning care should be taken as on any footpath."

He pledged his support for lighting along the path as a deterrent to criminals. Witham Town Council wants street lighting to be installed along a 130-metre stretch of the path from Bridge Street to Luard Way.

But Braintree Council rejected the scheme after hearing opposition from the River Walk Advisory Committee.

In Friday's attack, the robber approached the 22-year-old Witham woman as she was cycling along and asked for some change.

As she went to give him some money, he pushed her off the bike and grabbed her purse before running off.

The woman was left badly shaken by the attack, but was not seriously injured.

Det Sgt High, at Witham CID said: "She only suffered very minor injuries, but it was obviously very shocking and upsetting for her."

The robber is described as white, aged 18 to 20, five ft 10ins tall, with blonde hair in a curtain style, a spotty complexion, bushy eyebrows and he was wearing a dark blue denim jacket.

Anyone with any information should contact Witham CID on 01376 501212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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