An elderly woman's bag was snatched by a masked man wielding a knife during a shocking daylight robbery.
Police have now appealed for witnesses after the 70-year-old woman had her bag stolen in South Tyneside.
Shortly after 3.10pm on bank holiday Monday, the woman was walking in a back lane off Dean Road, South Shields, when she was approached by a man she did not recognise.
The man, who was wearing a yellow face covering, threatened the victim with a knife before grabbing her bag and making off in the direction of West Park.
The victim was uninjured but shaken by what had happened.
An investigation has been launched into the robbery and detectives are now appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time, or who saw a man wearing a yellow face covering, to get in touch.
Detective Constable Alison Hayhoe, of Northumbria Police, said: "This was an appalling incident that saw a vulnerable woman targeted as she was walking down the street.
"We are determined to make sure the person responsible is swiftly identified and appropriately dealt with – and I am now asking the community for their help in this investigation.
"The attacker is described as a man in his 20s, wearing dark-coloured joggers and a dark hoodie along with a yellow face covering.
"If you were in the area and saw anything suspicious, or think you may know the man in question, please get in touch as soon as possible.
"This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will be using all tactics at our disposal to make sure the offender is brought to justice."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of its website or by calling 101 quoting log 658 310820.
