POLICE are searching for a thief who dragged a woman into the middle of the road in Sheerness while attempting to grab her handbag.

The 45-year-old woman was walking home along St George's Avenue and past Botany Close at about 8.20pm last night when a man tried to grab her bag which was over her left shoulder.

He tried to make off with it but a box and carrier bag, which the woman was holding in her left hand, prevented him from doing so. A struggle began and the screaming woman was pulled in to the middle of the road. But when another woman appeared on her bicycle, the offender ran off towards Sheerness High Street.

The man is described as white, aged about18, with short dark brown hair. He was wearing a white top. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Swale police on 01795 477055.