A WOMAN struggled desperately with a man near Redditch town centre before he managed to grab her handbag and run off with it on Thursday.

The man approached the 45-year-old victim in Easemore Road at about 3pm while she was at the bus stop near Dolphin Road and grabbed her bag from behind.

At first the victim refused to let go and was pulled to the ground, suffering cuts and bruises.

Fearing further injury, she eventually let go and the man ran off in the direction of nearby allotments.

The bag contained less than £5 in cash.

The man is described as white, aged about 20, about 6ft tall with short, light brown, spiky hair and an oval face.

He was wearing a black fleece coat, black trousers and "very new" white trainers.

Sgt Chris Aslett said: "This was a bag snatch in broad daylight on a woman standing at a bus stop and I would appeal to anybody who witnessed the incident or saw the man in the area at the time to call me at Redditch police station."

Meanwhile, police are also investigating a bag snatch which happened the day before at about 9.15am in George Walk in the Kingfisher Centre.

A 17 year old had her black leather haversack grabbed from behind by a white man, who ran off in the direction of the Liberal Club, Mount Pleasant.

The bag contained a small amount of cash and a Sekonda wristwatch.

The victim was left shaken but unhurt.

The man is described as being in his early 30s with light brown hair, average height and a slim build. He also looked scruffy.

Anyone with details of either incident can call Redditch police on 584888.