Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was the victim of a robbery in Blandford.

The incident is reported to have happened at 4.30am on January 26 in the Station Court car park.

The victim, a local woman aged in her 30s, was carrying her coat under her arm when she was approached by a man she knew. He grabbed the coat, wrenching it off her arm and causing the victim to lunge forward, hurting her shoulder.

The offender then made off in the direction of Damory Court with the coat, which is described as a black Gelert coat with distinctive pink zips and pink lining. Inside the coat was £150 cash, a mobile phone, tobacco, cigarettes, house keys and a small red torch.

Police Constable Ali James, of Blandford police, said: “We have been making enquiries into this incident, including attempts to locate the suspect.

“I am now appealing to anyone who witnessed the robbery, or who has any information that can assist our investigation, to contact police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190018248.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.