POLICE officers are appealing for witnesses after a young woman was punched in the face during an attempted robbery in Thetford today.

POLICE officers are appealing for witnesses after a young woman was punched in the face during an attempted robbery in Thetford today.

The 21-year-old woman was targeted at the back of Gloucester Way in the town some time between 8am and 8.25am this afternoon.

She was walking home along the alleyway between Guildford and Gloucester Way when she was approached by two males who refused to let her pass.

One of the men then tried to grab her shopping bag, but when she refused to hand it over the second male punched her before the pair ran off in the direction of Canterbury Way.

One of the males was described as wearing a black hooded sweatshirt under a black coat and black trousers. The other offender wore a red jacket with a white stripe just below the chest, black trousers, a black hooded top and a long multi-coloured scarf.

Police officers are keen to speak to another female who was walking behind the victim and may have witnessed what happened.

Norfolk Constabulary would like to hear from anyone else who may have witnessed the incident or seen either of the males running away from the scene.

Please contact Det Con Gill Lacey at Thetford CID on 0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.