Passers-by stopped a 15-year-old boy from fleeing after he tried to snatch a woman's handbag in Withington.
The boy tried to pull the bag from the woman on Fog Lane at around 1.30pm yesterday.
Witnesses managed to intervene and detain the boy until police arrived.
He was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.
The victim had left the scene before police arrived and officers are appealing for her to contact them so they can progress with the investigation.
The offender was 5ft 6in tall and was wearing a black puffer jacket, a blue tracksuit and a black balaclava.
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Anyone with information that could help police get in touch with the victim is asked to contact West Didsbury Police Station on 0161 856 6157, call 101 quoting log 1395/07112019, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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