A 19-YEAR-OLD was punched in back of the head before a mugger stole her purse in a busy town centre.

The woman was outside Primark in Basildon when a man approached her from behind and punched her in the back of the head before stealing her bright pink purse from under her arm.

He made off in the direction of Iceland and the market area with her purse, which contained a two figure sum.

The victim was not injured in the incident, which happened at about 11.15am yesterday.

The man is described as white, dressed in silver or grey jogging bottoms and a green jacket with a hood.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dc Gail Wilkinson at Basildon CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.