Southend: Woman Injured After Park Robbery

14 June 2012, 09:28 | Updated: 14 June 2012, 09:56

Essex Police have released an efit of one of the men involved on a robbery on a 22-year-old woman in Southend.

A graphic picture has also been released of the victim's injuries.

The incident happened at 12.30pm on Tuesday June 12th when the 22-year-old was walking across Southchurch Hall Park, near Woodgrange Drive.

She was grabbed from behind and pulled back by her hair and confronted by a woman who demanded cash and her handbag.

When the victim tried to struggle free she was forced to the ground by the woman and four male accomplices. The offender repeatedly scratched the victim's face while the three men kicked her in the legs and waist area.

They then made off with her bag containing £62 cash, a gold chain, store cards and documents.

Investigating officer DC Rory Scarlett said: "This was an absolutely terrifying attack on a woman who was left severely distressed and covered in blood. 

"We want to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or from anyone who saw the attackers lurking in the park before the incident or running away afterwards."

The woman who led the attack was thought to be in her early 20s and about 5ft 1in tall. She was believed to be tanned or of mixed heritage and her dark coloured hair was in a pony tail.

Three of the men were black and all thought to be in their early 30s. One was wearing a red hooded top and the others had black hoodies. The fourth man was white, also in his 20s and of skinny build. He was wearing a black jumper. 

Anyone with information should contact DC Rory Scarlett or his colleagues at the Southend Target Team on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.