A woman fought off a would-be robber who threatened her with a piece of twisted wire.

The woman, in her late 20s, was walking alone on her way home from work when she was confronted by a man.

He threatened her with the wire and grabbed her shoulder bag.

The robber tried to rip the bag from her but she refused to let go and fled the scene empty-handed.

The woman suffered cuts to her hand and face in the attack,which happened just after 5.30pm on Thursday, January 18, in Albert Street, Saltaire.

She did not need hospital treatment.

Detective Inspector John Mountain, of Keighley CID, said: "It was a clear attempt to steal a lone woman's handbag and he used quite substantial force to try and do so. It must have been terrifying for the victim."

Police are appealing for witnesses and particularly want to hear from the occupants of a silver people carrier which was driving past as the incident happened.

The suspect was Asian, aged 16 to 18, slim, 5ft 6ins tall, and was wearing a black waist-length jacket, a light peaked baseball cap and dark blue pumps.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Keighley CID on (01535) 617083, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.