POLICE are appealing for information after a woman was head-butted in the face by a robber who snatched the bag she was carrying.

The incident happened at about 1pm, yesterday, December 5, in an alleyway that backs onto Neasham Road and Brighton Road.

The victim, a 30-year-old local woman, was making her way to the town centre when she was approached from behind by a man on a silver/grey mountain bike.

He attempted to grab the over-the-shoulder JD black drawstring bag she was carrying and, although she struggled to keep hold of it, he head-butted her in the face and snatched the bag from her before riding off in the direction of Eastbourne Park.

The bag contained valuables including a passport, purse, confidential paperwork and a large quantity of cash.

The robber is described as white, aged in his mid-30s, 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall, skinny, with a dirty complexion. He had dark stubble and black teeth. The man was wearing a black hooded jumper with a white tick on the chest and blue tracksuit bottoms with Reebok written in red down both legs.

Detective Constable Neil Stannard, of Darlington serious crime team, said: “This was a very frightening experience for the victim who struggled with her assailant and tried to hang onto the bag.

"I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident and to anyone who might have inadvertently recovered some of the items stolen to contact us as soon as possible.”

Durham police can be contacted on 0345 60 60 365 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.