ESSEX Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman aged in her 70s was robbed in Harlow.

The woman was walking along a path in the Pyenest Road area which runs from Southern Way, along Shawbridge, Hollyfield and on to Pyenest Road at around 10.30am on June 14 when she had her handbag grabbed causing her to fall to the floor.

The suspect ran off with the bag. He is described as white, 5ft 5ins to 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build and wore a navy or black hooded top.

The woman’s handbag was brown leather and contained her purse, which was later recovered, a red umbrella decorated with giraffes and a black Samsung Galaxy S3 mobile phone in a green leather case.

The woman has been left with severe bruising, a fractured left shoulder and a fracture to her right hand.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dc Ryan Burgess at Harlow CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.