A WOMAN visiting her sick daughter in hospital was targeted by a thief who cut her as he stole her handbag.

The 53-year-old woman, from the Channel Islands, was robbed and injured as she was making her way to Southampton General Hospital to visit her daughter who is being treated for cancer.

She was walking along Tremona Road, towards Warren Avenue when a stranger grabbed her shoulder bag.

As she tried to keep hold of it, she felt something sharp on her hand and let go.

She was later treated for a cut to her hand by a nurse.

The victim's brown handbag container a white purse, another small purse with the letter C on the side, a HSBC bank card and £50 in cash.

She described the man as being white, with dark hair, about 5ft 6ins tall, wearing jeans and a dark top.

Police are appealing for anyone with any information about the robbery, which happened at around 4.30pm on October 1, to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.