A WOMAN who was out walking with her children in the middle of the day had her purse stolen after a man grabbed her around the neck in a Burnley park.

The 43-year-old woman was walking in Thompson Park at 12.45pm on Wednesday when she felt a man put his hand on her mouth and his other arm round her neck.

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He then pulled her handbag from her shoulder and let go.

The offender searched the bag, removing a purse and discarding the bag on the floor.

He then run off with the purse along a path into the park.

DC Barry James, from Burnley CID, said the victim was lucky not to have been injured and the ordeal in front of her children had left her shaken.

“This incident was very distressing for this woman particularly as this happened in the presence of her children,” the detective said.

“She is lucky not to have been physically harmed but she is understandably shaken.”

Police are now appealing for anyone who was in the area of the park at the time or who knows anything about the robbery to get in touch with them.

DC James said: “If you were in the area at the time and may have seen this robbery taking place or you know anything about it at all, please make contact with us.”

The offender is described as a tanned male, between 18 and 19-years-old, of a slim build and was wearing a grey hooded top and blue jeans.

Anyone with information can call Burnley CID on 01282 472119.

Alternatively they can ring non-emergency number 101, quoting incident reference 629 of Wednesday, August 26.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or though the website crimestoppers-uk.org.