DETECTIVES in Basingstoke are urgently appealing for two men who may have witnessed an attack on a woman to come forward.

The victim, who is in her 30s and from the area, was attacked and robbed as she reached a junction of three footpaths at the rear of South View Junior School, off Jefferson Road, at about noon on Good Friday.

She said she saw a man exercising two large dogs, believed to be Dalmatians, on The Vyne Community School playing field shortly before the incident took place. He is described as white, bald and clean-shaven. He was wearing a dark blue jumper, trousers and black boots.

The woman also saw a man near to a car in Jefferson Road as she walked away from where the attack took place.

Both of these men may hold key information and are being asked to contact police as soon as possible.

Detective Chief Inspector Karen Manners, from Basingstoke CID, is leading the investigation.

She said: "We would appeal for anyone who was in the area to come forward, whether they think they saw something suspicious or not.

"Even the smallest thing that might not seem important may help us in this case."

The woman's attacker is described as possibly of mixed race and in his early 20s.

He was wearing blue denim jeans, a plain blue hooded top, a dark blue baseball cap, white Nike training shoes and dark blue cloth gloves. He had stubble on his chin and bad breath.

The assailant pulled the victim's hair, which injured her neck and forced her to drop her shopping bag. He then grabbed her mobile phone and made a verbal threat to her safety before letting her go.

The woman was taken to Basingstoke hospital for treatment but was later discharged.

Any witnesses are asked to call Hampshire police on 0845 045 45 45.

First published: Monday, April 4, 2005