A WOMAN was knocked off her feet and robbed of her handbag by a man who drove his car at her in Gillingham.

The frightening robbery, which left the 48-year-old woman badly shaken, happened at about 10pm, on Saturday.

Medway Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have been in the area of Barnsole Road, Gillingham at the time of the incident to contact them.

The woman was walking towards Darland Avenue when she heard a car approaching on the road behind her.

As the vehicle drew level it mounted the pavement alongside her, knocking her with the front passenger door as it stopped.

A man got out of the car and, while holding her by the collar of her clothes, tugged at her handbag forcing her to release it, and breaking and taking a necklace she had been wearing. He then drove off.

As the shaken woman made her way on foot to her parents’ home not far away, she managed to flag down a police patrol vehicle, which then took her to her parents’ home.

A spokesman for Medway Police said: "The woman has been left very shaken by the incident.

"The details that she has been able to provide us with are that there were two men in the car, which was dark in colour, possibly J registration, and had a noisy engine.

"The man who robbed the woman, was wearing a white shirt, 6ft, and of medium to large build with light brown hair. He is likely to be about 30-years-old.

"We are hoping that someone in the Barnsole Road area around 10pm last Saturday night may have noticed a noisy car, possibly driving towards or in the area of Darland Avenue at speed, or witnessed the robbery."

Anyone with any information should call the Medway area crime unit 01634 884136, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Calls to Crimestoppers are free, callers don’t have to leave a name and could receive a cash reward.