POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman was punched in the face and mugged in Hampshire.

The broad daylight assault took place as the 50-year-old victim was walking in an alleyway when she almost bumped into a man walking in the opposite direction.

He grabbed at her mobile phone and handbag and when she resisted he hit her in the face, causing her to let go.

The man took her gold-coloured Samsung Galaxy S5 phone, which is valued at around £500 and was in a turquoise green leather pocket case with peach colour stitches around the edge. Also stolen was her sky blue coloured purse with a little metal turtle stuck on the bottom right corner. The purse contained £55 in notes, about £10 in pound coins, and some other loose change; bank cards and loyalty cards.

The offender is described as white, aged between 30 and 35, of slim build and around 5ft 8ins tall. He had stubble, rough looking skin and short, straight dark brown hair.

He was wearing a dark grey sweatshirt with round neck, and dark grey tracksuit bottoms.

The incident took place at around 9.30am last Saturday between Sheffield Road and Guilford Road in Portsmouth.

DC Duncan Green said: “I would like to hear from anyone who may have been in or around the alleyways that run between Guildford Road, Sheffield Road and Sandringham Road at around 9.30am on Saturday, October 10.

“As always, we would encourage people to be aware of their surroundings especially when walking in secluded areas alone.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Green at Fratton Police Station on 101 call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.