A 20-YEAR-old woman fought off a would-be mugger who attacked her in a dark alleyway.

Detectives said the victim was approached as she walked along the alley off Yorkshire Street in Bacup.

Police believe her attacker may have seen her using a mobile phone, while he was hanging around outside The Queens pub, and followed her into the ginnel, which leads to Earnshaw Road.

But she fought off the man and he fled back along Yorkshire Street, before running along St James Square towards South Street.

Det Con Dave Greenwood, of Pennine CID, said: “We believe the man responsible was possibly loitering outside The Queens public house and has seen the victim with her mobile phone and has followed her into the alleyway and attempted to steal her phone.

“Fortunately, the victim wasn’t injured but, as you can imagine, is extremely shaken as a result of the attack.

“This is clearly a serious offence and an investigation is underway to catch the man responsible.”

The incident happened on Monday, December 2 at around 6.30pm but police only released details yesterday ((MON)).

The offender is described by police as a white man aged 30 to 35, 5ft 6in, medium build and with a shaven head.

He was wearing a black jacket with reflective strips down each sleeve.

Detectives can be contacted at Burnley on 01282 472282 or contact Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.