POLICE are today hunting a man who tried to mug a woman in Ipswich.The woman bravely fought off her assailant who tried to snatch her handbag in an early evening attack near Ipswich town centre.

POLICE are today hunting a man who tried to mug a woman in Ipswich.

The woman bravely fought off her assailant who tried to snatch her handbag in an early evening attack near Ipswich town centre.

She became aware of a man walking closely behind her and shortly after he attempted to snatch her bag. But the determined woman grimly held on the attacker fled.

The offender is described as white and aged between 18 and 19 years old with shoulder length hair. He is around 5'9" tall, of slim build and wore a beige jacket and dark blue jeans.

The incident happened between 6.20pm and 7pm on January 17 in Princes Street as the woman walked towards Ipswich train station.

The news comes just days after television presenter Lowri Turner, 38, had her handbag snatched while she was carrying her two-week-old son in a sling. The attack happened just yards from her home in Newington Green, north London.

It is also nearly two years after Elizabeth Sherlock, 42, was run over by the getaway car used by a mugger who stole her handbag outside Euston station, central London. The handbag stolen in the incident, which happened in April 2001, contained just £20, credit cards and a few personal possessions.

Police today warned people against fighting back when subjected to such attacks.

Anna Woolnough, a spokeswoman for Suffolk police, said: "We would never encourage any member of the public to put themselves in danger. What people should do is give up any property rather than risk injury to themselves."

She stressed the importance of victims being as "observant as possible" and to make a mental note of details about the incident.

She said: "It's important to remember as many details about the offender's appearance as possible, including details of any vehicles they get into, clothing and height. They should then call the police as soon as possible."

Anyone with any information about the attack in Ipswich should call Pc Steve Clarke at Ipswich police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.