A MAN was mugged shortly after withdrawing money from a cash machine near Durham police station.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the mugging which took place just off New Elvet, near the city police station, on Monday at around 9.15am.

The victim, a 23-year-old man from Sherburn Village, had withdrawn £320 from the cash machine at Barclays bank, at the junction of New Elvet and Elvet Crescent.

After putting the money in his wallet he walked round the corner into Elvet Crescent where he was pushed from behind. The man lost his balance, fell to the ground and lost his grip on his wallet.

The mugger grabbed the wallet and ran off. Police believe the man had an accomplice, who was standing a short distance away from the attack.

Police said the youth who carried out the snatch is aged either 16 or 17, is 5ft 10in, well-built, and has a bald head, with a distinctive mark on the back.

He was wearing a dark short-sleeved t-shirt, dark track suit bottoms, with fluorescent green stripe down the legs, and light-coloured trainers. The other youth was thought to be of a similar age, around 5ft 8in, thin build, wearing a red baseball cap, grey hooded sweatshirt, dark track suit bottoms and light-coloured trainers.

The victim suffered only a minor injury to his hand as he fell, but was left shaken by the speed of the attack.

Detective Constable Dave Wilson, of Durham City CID, said: "This robbery occurred at a distance of only about 50 yards from the police station, at a time when there were a lot of people about in cars and on foot.

"We would appeal to anyone who saw what happened, or who saw either of these youths running away, to contact us."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (0191) 386 4222, or the Crimestoppers' anonymous freephone line, on 0800 555 111.