A WOMAN walking back to her car through an alley after shopping in Wey-mouth town centre was mugged by two men.

The 44-year-old who had met a friend for coffee before she walked through Church Passage from St Mary Street to Maiden Street was approached by the pair.

They shouted at her to hand over her money and after she gave them £70 one of them pushed her against the wall and on to the floor before she called the police.

Shopkeepers and workers near to St Mary’s Church have told of their shock at hearing she was attacked in daylight.

Louise Cox’s hairdressers The Modern Barbers looks out on the alley but she was unaware of the robbery.

She said: “I can’t believe it happened in the day and nobody saw it.

“I’m surprised and it’s upsetting as it could’ve been any of us going out for lunch.

“But I’ve been followed through town and was once attacked on Dorchester Road but fought them off.”

Hairdresser Chelsea Fidock walks down Church Passage every day to get her lunch.

“I always go that way so it’s scary,” she said.

The victim – from Weymouth – was left shaken and with a bruised shoulder after her ordeal.

She did not know the men involved who fled with her cash down St Mary Street.

Graham Bentley owns the shop La Luna on the corner of Church Passage and St Mary Street.

He said: “I was here but I didn’t see anything so I’m shocked.

“I would think you’d be safe walking back to your car in the middle of the town centre during the day.”

Jem Dicken, who owns Weymouth Mobility, added: “It’s surprising as there’s always lots of people about.

“There’s always traders outside and we are often going down the passage to our van. “ Detective Constable Andy Marsh, of Weymouth CID, said the woman entered the alleyway from St Mary Street and the two men entered from the Maiden Street side at 3.15pm on Monday.

He said: “They demanded the money off her and she handed it over. Then she was pushed on the shoulder and she fell over.”

DC Marsh said witnesses might have heard the men shout at her.

He added: “This was a highly distressing and cowardly attack on a lone woman and it is essential that anyone with any information about this incident or those responsible contacts police at the earliest opportunity.”

Witnesses or anyone with information can call Dorset Police on 101.