Woman's face scratched by robber

A 22-year-old woman was left covered in blood after her face was scratched by an attacker during a robbery.

She was grabbed from behind and pulled back by her hair and confronted by a woman who demanded cash and her handbag in a robbery in a park in Southend on Tuesday.

She tried to struggle free but was forced to the ground by the woman and four male accomplices. The woman repeatedly scratched her face while the men kicked her in the legs and waist area.

Detectives in Essex have released an e-fit image of the suspect and a photograph of the woman’s facial injuries, with her consent.

The victim, who wishes to be identified only as Leanne, was robbed of her bag containing £62 cash, a gold chain, store cards and documents.

Leanne was attacked at 12.30pm on 12th June, as she was walking across Southchurch Hall Park, near Woodgrange Drive.

She was comforted by passersby until police and paramedics arrived.

The woman who led the attack was thought to be in her early 20s and about 5ft tall. She was believed to be tanned or of mixed heritage and her dark coloured hair was in a pony tail.

Three of the men were black and all thought to be in their early 30s. One was wearing a red hooded top and the others had black hoodies. The fourth man was white, also in his 20s and of skinny build. He was wearing a black jumper.

Anyone with information should contact DC Rory Scarlett or his colleagues at the Southend Target Team on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.