A YOUNG woman was knocked unconcious by a robber who punched her in the face.

The 21-year-old student was walking to her car, a Ford Fiesta, which she had parked in Swift Road, near the junction of Victoria Road, Woolston.

As she was about to get in the car, a man shouted at her to hand over her purse.

When the woman replied that she did not have it, the man punched her in the face, knocking her unconscious.

When she woke, the woman found change she had been carrying scattered on the ground.

The suspect is described as a white man in his mid-twenties. He is about 5ft 10ins tall and of medium build. The robber was wearing a black hoody with the hood up and dark gloves.

He spoke in a husky voice with a local accent and smelled of alcohol.

Detectives are appealing for information from witnesses who were in the area at the time. They want to hear from anyone who saw the incident or a man who matches the description of the offender.

They also want to hear from anyone who has CCTV installed on the exterior of their property.

The incident happened around 8.30pm on Thursday, December 5.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Esra Phillipson-Masters at Bitterne CID on 101.