POLICE have voiced their concern that no one came to the aid of a 62-year-old woman when she was mugged in a daytime attack.

The woman was walking in Wordsworth Road, in Skerne Park, Darlington, when she was approached from behind by two young men. She was knocked down and one of the men rifled through her coat pockets before grabbing her purse. Both men ran off towards Coleridge Gardens with the purse, which contained a small amount of cash.

Detective Sergeant Alec Francis said the woman was badly shaken but unhurt in the attack, which occurred at about 10am on Friday.

He said: "I'm quite concerned that this type of crime can occur in broad daylight without any public response. It is a completely unprovoked attack on an innocent member of the public for a small amount of cash. It has certainly left the lady very shaken and in fear for herself, because she walks in Darlington a lot."

Both attackers were white males, and wore blue anoraks and denim jeans.

Police in Darlington last night also appealed for two people who witnessed an attack on an elderly woman to contact them.

A man and a woman saw the male thief approach the woman and grab a purse from her bag in Southend Avenue, Darlington.

The woman was walking from Grange Road towards Coniscliffe Road when the attack happened, last Thursday, March 8, at 3pm.

The male witness chased the attacker along Polam Lane into the Safeway car park, where he lost sight of him. It is not known whether the two witnesses were together, or had just been in the same area.

Anyone with information should contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The witnesses to the March 8 incident are asked to contact PC Sharon Spooner on (01325) 742189.