Detectives are on the hunt after a woman reported she was followed by a man who hit her before stealing her purse.

Police are investigating the alleged robbery on Tuesday evening in Whitstable which took place near the allotments in Joy Lane.

A woman in her 20s walked along Valkyrie Avenue and down an alley towards Joy Lane at about 7pm when she noticed a man following her.

As she turned up a path close to the allotments the man hit her in the face and took her purse before fleeing in the direction of the railway bridge.

She suffered minor facial injuries and her purse was later found with bank cards and cash missing.

The man is described as being between 35 and 40, around 6ft tall, medium build, shaved blonde hair, clean-shaven with acne-marked skin and wearing a navy blue hooded top.

"This was a frightening and unexpected incident for the victim who was targeted as she walked alone" - DI Max Davidson

Detective Inspector Max Davidson said: "This was a frightening and unexpected incident for the victim who was targeted as she walked alone.

"Thankfully incidents like this are very rare in Whitstable but our officers are determined to find the offender and bring him to justice.

"I urge people to get in touch if they saw anything suspicious on the evening of the robbery, or if they are able to offer information towards identifying this man."

If you have any information about the incident, contact 01227 868235 quoting ZY/029084/14.