Police have issued an appeal after a young man attempted to steal a handbag from a woman who was walking by Teddington Lock.

The woman from Ham was walking to work along the tow path towards Teddington Lock on the Ham side of the river at about 7.15am on January 7, when she was approached by a man who tried to steal her bag.

The woman fell to the floor after a short struggle and managed to keep hold of her bag but the robber, who was wearing a dark hooded top, ran off.

A police spokesman said: “The suspect has been described as white, late teens to early 20s and smelt strongly of aftershave.”

Anyone in the area at the time who has information is asked to call PC Pestridge at Richmond CID on 020 8247 7257.