A DRUNK woman punched a 13-year-old schoolboy in the face and then robbed him of cash.

The lad was walking in Sutton Road in Southend when he was approached by the woman who grabbed his hooded top and pulled it down over his face before punching him.

She then grabbed £20 cash and some other items from his pocket before making off.

The victim said as the woman walked up to him she appeared to be drunk.

The attack happened at about 5.45pm on Friday, January 31.

Detectives would like to speak to the woman in this CCTV image in connection with the incident.

Investigating officer DC Mark Sawyer said: "This was a particularly vicious assault that occurred at a busy time in the early evening. I would like to hear from anyone who can identify the woman in the CCTV photograph.”

The woman is described as being in her 30s or 40s, about 5ft 6in tall, of medium build and with dark brown shoulder-length hair. She was wearing a black padded jacket and blue jeans.

Anyone with information should contact DC Sawyer at Southend CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.