A WOMAN fell and smashed her head on the ground as a robber snatched her handbag.

The victim, a woman in her 60s, was mugged in an alleyway in Witney on Tuesday.

She was walking in the lane, between Cogges Hill Road and Hollis Close, at about 6pm when she was grabbed from behind.

The man grabbed her handbag and she fell, hitting her head on the pavement.

Her handbag was later found in the alleyway but the purse inside had been taken.

The victim suffered a head injury but did not require hospital treatment.

Police described the ordeal as 'frightening' for the woman and urged anyone with information to come forward.

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The man was slim, about 5ft 6ins or 5ft 7ins tall, and was wearing all black clothing including a hooded top with the hood pulled up.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Steven Bates, based at Witney police station, said: "This was a frightening experience for the victim and I am urging anyone who has any information to come forward.

"I am appealing to anybody who was in the area at the time of the offence who believes they may be able to help our investigation."

Anyone who can help can call 101, quoting reference number 43190337428, make a report via the force's website, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This is the second alleyway robbery police have appealed for information about in the past few days.

On Thursday, an elderly woman was also robbed as she walked with a zimmer frame in Headington.