POLICE hunting a handbag snatcher with a knife have renewed their appeal for information.

Detectives in Accrington today issued a more detailed description of the mugger who cut a young woman's hand as he slashed through the straps of her bag.

The 31-year-old victim, who needed a few stitches, had her bag draped over the handle of a pushchair.

She had come along Edmund Street, crossed over Nuttall Street and was at the junction with Clement Street when the thief bumped into her.

She only realised afterwards that her bag had gone and the top of her hand was cut.

The thief, who pounced on Wednesday lunchtime is white, aged between 18 and 22, and about 5ft 9in tall. He has dark brown hair shaved up the sides and back but slightly longer and flat on top, and a fairly large Roman-type nose.

He was dressed in a red bomber jacket, blue jeans and black footwear with red colouring on the sole.

The victim's black leather bag contained bank, library, gas and electricity cards in the name Diane Flatman.

Anyone who witnessed the snatch, saw the mugger running away or has any information is asked to contact Accrington police on 382141.

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