A WOMAN was punched in the face and had her handbag stolen during a vicious attack in Blackburn.

A man approached the woman, who is in her 20s, while she was walking home from her night shift.

Lancashire Police has launched an investigation into the attack which happened as the woman walked over the canal bridge near Grimshaw Park.

MORE TOP STORIES:

A man approached her and demanded money. When she refused to hand over her cash, the man punched her in the mouth.

The police said that she screamed for help and the man put his hand over her mouth before he grabbed the handbag from her shoulder and made off towards the canal path.

The woman sustained a bloodied mouth as a result of the attack.

Officers are now appealing for information after the incident near the canal at around 6.45am on Saturday, December 13.

The offender is white, approximately 5ft 2in tall, slim and around 25. He was wearing a black hat, a black jacket and dark pants at the time of the attack.

DC Tricia Sowerbutts, of Blackburn CID, said: “This was a violent attack on a young woman who was on her way home from work and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information about what happened to contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact Lancashire Police on 101, quoting crime reference number ED1403492 Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken and you will not go to court.