A WOMAN was knocked to the ground by a thief who stole her handbag.

The thief struck as the 56-year-old woman was walking though Southampton at 6.10pm yesterday.

She was walking through the subway from Northam Road to Brinton's Road when he grabbed her bag from behind.

He pulled it away from her, and knocked her to the ground, before fleeing up the steps towards St Matthew's Close.

The victim suffered grazes, bruises and a suspected dislocated shoulder in the incident.

Her bag, which was of a distinctive tapestry design with cats, contained a brown purse decorated with black patchwork which contained £20 and a Post Office card.

The thief is described as young, thin to medium build and wearing a hooded top and a baseball cap.

Anyone with information should contact the police, while officers have also issued a warning to pedestrians to remain alert when walking through underpasses in the city, and to carry handbags and other valuables securely.

If you have any information, call PC Simon Ricketts at Southampton Central police station on 101.