POLICE are appealing for information about a robbery and an attempted robbery in Sheerness which may be linked. A white man, believed aged about 20 tried to steal a handbag from an 80-year-old woman in Winstanley Road.

He is around 20, about 5ft 10ins tall and was wearing a beige hooded jacket. He is of stocky build. The incident took place between 10.55am and 11.05am on Friday when the woman was walking from the direction of St Helen's Road towards Sheerness town centre.

The second incident took place outside a house in James Street between 11.20am and 11.30am, also on Friday.

A 64-year-old woman from Sheerness had her bag containing £138 stolen. After the incident, the offender made off towards Telescope Alley.

The offender is described as a white male, aged between 25 and 30 and between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 10ins tall. He has also been described as of stocky build and believed to be wearing a beige/fawn hooded jacket.

The hood was tied tightly around the offender's face and he was wearing light blue trousers.

Anyone with information should contact Swale police on 01795 477055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.