POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman had her handbag snatched outside a shop in Lidget Green, Bradford.

The victim, a 25-year-old woman, walked out of the McColls store in Beckside Road at around 1.10pm on Monday, and was heading towards the post office when a man approached her from behind and pulled the handbag from her shoulder.

She initially managed to keep hold of the bag but when the man has threatened to punch her she let go.

The man ran off with the bag down Lidget Terrace but it was later found nearby without a mobile phone and cash inside.

The suspect is described as Asian, 5ft 10ins tall, of average build, with short, almost shaven, dark hair. He was wearing a red/orange zip up top and dark jeans.

Detective Constable Andy Cullingford, of Bradford CID, said: "We understand from our initial enquiries that the suspect was seen at the bus stop outside McColls for around half an hour before this offence, seemingly watching people using the ATM.”

Anyone with any more information is urged to call Bradford CID on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.