ESSEX Police was called at around 8.10pm last night Saturday 21 September to reports of an attempted robbery on Third Avenue, Harlow.

A woman in her 20s was approached by a man who threatened her with a knife and attempted to take her handbag. She managed to pull her bag away and the man ran off in the direction of the old Passmores School.

The man has been described to us as black, 6ft tall, with dark spikey hair that was plaited.

He was wearing a black Nike tracksuit that had white writing on the sleeves, and black Nike trainers with blue stripes.

We would ask if you were in the area around the time and either witnessed the incident or saw or heard anything suspicious or have dash cam footage to please call Harlow CID on 101 quoting crime reference number 42/151350/19.

Information can also be given completely anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org