Dog walker fights off man armed with sharp object who tried to steal her pet

The woman had been walking her dog at Herringthorpe Playing Fields at 2.45pm on Monday when she was approached by an unknown man, a police spokesperson said.

The man reportedly grabbed the dog's lead and pushed a sharp object into the woman's arm, causing a puncture wound.

"The victim fought back and the man fled the scene empty-handed," said the spokesperson.

"The victim suffered minor injuries to her arm and did not require hospital treatment."

The man is described as possibly Asian or Eastern European, around 5ft 5ins tall with black hair.

He was wearing a mask, a thin, red jacket and black trousers, the spokesperson dsaid.

Anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and has any information which could help should call 101 quoting incident number 626 of October 4.