A STREET robbery left a 35-year-old woman needing hospital treatment after a violent thug snatched her handbag.

Police say the victim was walking along an alleyway off Newington Road, Ramsgate, between 11.30am and 11.55am last Friday when she was approached by a man.

The attacker grabbed the woman's handbag and swore at her before punching her in the face and breaking her cheekbone. He then ran off with the handbag towards Newington Road.

The victim, from Ramsgate, was knocked to the ground. She raised the alarm at the nearby Newington Community Primary School.

The mugger is described as white, short, and wore a black and white striped jumper, jeans and trainers.

The handbag, which was black and purchased from River Island, contained cash, bank, credit and store cards and her Samsung D500 mobile phone.

Det Con Paul Gedge from Kent Police said: "This was a nasty robbery and we would urge anyone with any information to come forward.

"The victim did not see her attacker and therefore we have not been able to put together an efit picture, but we are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may know who this man is to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact DC Gedge on 01843 231055 of Kent CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.