A 56-YEAR-OLD woman was punched by a young thug after she confronted a gang over a theft -- but she fought him off with her handbag.

The woman was walking along the footpath between Union Road and Stuart Close, Darwen, when she saw a group of four youngsters emptying the contents of a bag into the river.

She shouted at the gang and saw two of the youths run away towards Shorey Bank Road. The other two, described as 13 and 14 years old, are said to have approached the woman and one of them became very aggressive towards her before hitting her in the arm.

The victim then hit the attacker with her handbag and he fell to the ground.

The incident came shortly after two boys, aged around nine and ten, stole a bag from a Ford Fiesta in Heyes Lane, Darwen, about 4pm on Monday. Two children were on the back seat at the time -- their mother had nipped out for a short time.

Detective Sergeant Neil Hunter from Darwen CID said: "We are obviously linking the two incidents and would appeal for the two boys that ran away who have no involvement in the second incident and anyone who saw this incident or the boys matching this description to come forward.

"It is clear that two of the boys ran off when challenged and one of the others became abusive when challenged.

"It is disturbing that young children could steal from a car with two youngsters in the back and assault this woman in this way."

The nine-year-old was described as having blond hair and wearing a black and white jacket.

His accomplice was described as wearing a jacket with beige sleeves.

The attacker was described as 5ft 3in, 14 years old, with brown hair, a crooked nose and wearing a beige fleece.

Items in the bag included a small amount of cash and three credit and debit cards under the name of Gemmell.

If anyone has any information about the incidents they can contact Darwen CID on 01254 353842.