A MUGGER is being hunted by police today after a girl was punched in the face in Ipswich.The 16-year-old girl was walking in St Stephens Church lane around 2.30pm yesterday. She stopped to light a cigarette and noticed a man standing nearby.

A MUGGER is being hunted by police today after a girl was punched in the face in Ipswich.

The 16-year-old was walking in St Stephen's Church Lane around 2.30pm yesterday. She stopped to light a cigarette and noticed a man standing nearby.

The man tried to take the cigarette from her, then punched her in the face and took her mobile phone. She grabbed the phone back, but the man reached into her handbag and took a £5 note and a packet of cigarettes.

The victim shouted for help, and an elderly man who came to her assistance was kicked by the offender before he ran off in the direction of Upper Brook Street.

The offender is described as 18 to 20 years old, 5ft 8in, of medium build, with a tanned, possibly Asian, complexion; his hair was black and had a shaved pattern around the sides. He was wearing dark blue flared jeans, a black V-neck jumper and a cream-coloured zip-up jacket.

DC Kevin Fenton said: "The victim has sustained minor injuries to her face from being punched.

"This happened at a busy time of the day and there were pedestrians nearby. We are keen to hear from the man who came to the victim's assistance and from anyone else who witnessed this incident.

Calls should be made to DC Fenton at Ipswich CID on 01473 383133 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.