Good Samaritans chase off mugger who targeted 60-year-old woman (From Echo)

Good Samaritans chase off mugger who targeted 60-year-old woman in Westcliff

1:30pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in Local News By David Trayner

A WOMAN who was attacked by a hooded mugger has thanked good Samaritans who chased him off.

The thug on a bike dragged the 60-year-old woman to the floor, hurting her arm and hip, as he tried to snatch her handbag in Park Terrace, Westcliff.

But the victim’s screams alerted residents who pursued the man towards Southend town centre and took her to safety.

The woman, who is now terrified to leave her home at night, said: “They are really good Samaritans. It’s a really good community, which is there to help anybody in trouble.

“If they hadn’t come out he would have eventually taken my bag.”

The woman was walking to work in Park Road at about 9.30pm on Sunday when the man, who was about 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build and wearing a hoodie and dark trousers, rode up behind her on a silver bike.

He grabbed her handbag, pulling her into the road, but she fell over still holding the bag.

The mugger got off his bike to try and get the bag, but fled when several residents answered the woman’s screams.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.