A couple are calling for a greater police presence in their "idyllic hamlet" after a woman was mugged walking along a country lane.

Andrew and Judith Sharp, of Whitley Head, Keighley, say their community has been victim to a big increase in crime in recent weeks.

In the latest incident, a 52-year-old school administrator was attacked by robbers as she walked along Hollins Lane towards nearby Steeton, on July 8. She was pulled to the ground when a man jumped from a stolen blue Peugeot and grabbed her shoulder bag.

Keighley police say the robbery happened at 8.20am when the car, containing two white men, pulled up and one man leaped out.

"He began by pulling her hand bag from her shoulder. She was pulled to the ground and the strap snapped. He ran off and jumped back into the car," said a police spokesman.

Mr Sharp, a lecturer at Keighley College, passed just seconds later and saw the woman's property scattered over the road.

"I started to pick the things up and the woman and another woman came up to me. It was a very shocking experience for her.

"I have seen her walking that road for a long time - that incident could affect her for the rest of her working life."

He said there had been a number of crimes in the village recently, including thefts from cars, one involving his wife's vehicle.

Four cars had also been dumped and set on fire nearby, said Mrs Sharp.

"Whitley Head is a tiny, idyllic hamlet on the outskirts of Steeton and these things have happened in the last few weeks. Police seem powerless to stop it," she said.

A Keighley police spokesman said they were deploying their resources appropriately.

He added: "Like all other areas in Keighley, the area has its own problem oriented police officer, PC Craig Strothers, and people with any specific information about crime should telephone 0845 6060606."