DETECTIVES are today hunting a mugger who threatened to knife an elderly woman in Ipswich in broad daylightThe pensioner was held up by a man armed with a knife when she became victim to an attempted robbery as she walked through an alleyway on the outskirts of the town centre.

DETECTIVES are today hunting a mugger who threatened to knife an elderly woman in Ipswich in broad daylight

The pensioner was held up by a man armed with a knife when she became victim to an attempted robbery as she walked through an alleyway on the outskirts of the town centre.

The 75-year-old woman was heading along St Matthews Church Lane toward Civic Drive yesterday between 11.15am and 11.30am when a man entered the alley from the other end.

As he approached the woman, he pulled a knife from his pocket, held it toward her and asked her to hand over her purse.

She refused, pushing the offender away with her hand, at which point he ran off in the direction of Portman Road.

The victim was uninjured but left shaken by the incident.

The man is described as white, in his 20s, 5ft 7ins to 5ft 8ins tall and of medium build. At the time of the incident he was wearing a beige waist-length anorak with the hood up.

Investigating officer Detective constable Phil Clare, of Ipswich CID, is keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident or from anyone recognise the offender from the description.

Callers are asked to contact Dc Clare on 01473 383133 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.