Woman's Blackberry stolen as mugger strikes

A 48-year-old woman from Thorpe Hesley was approached by the man as she walked to her car at the Trades Club in Rotherham town centre.

The contents of her bag spilled onto the ground during a struggle and the suspect escaped with her Blackberry Curve phone.

The woman needed hospital treatment for a broken thumb and was left shocked and distressed by the incident, police said.

The suspect is in his early 20s with chin-length dark hair, described as greasy and curly. He is about 5ft 5ins tall with a skinny build.

He was wearing a white hoodie, red jacket and dark trousers and shoes at the time.

Officers believe he had been walking around the town centre before the robbery, at 2.10am on Sunday, 13 November.

Anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting reference 177, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.