A BRAVE woman was able to fend off a man who tried to steal her purse in Runcorn.

At around 1.10pm yesterday, Wednesday, the victim was walking up the steps from the Windmill Hill shops towards the busway when she heard a bicycle breaking behind her.

The 22-year-old carried on walking and before she reached the busway a man riding a bike grabbed the purse she was holding.

The victim managed to keep hold of her purse and fend off the offender.

The man then fled on his silver bike, riding onto the busway in the direction of Castlefields and Phoenix Park.

The culprit was wearing a black coat with the hood up, a black snood and black tracksuit bottoms.

Detective constable Nathaniel Walkowiak said: “Although the victim managed to prevent her purse from being stolen, the incident has understandably left her shaken up.

“We are determined to find out who the offender is and make him face the consequences of his actions and urge anyone with information or CCTV or dashcam footage that may be relevant to our ongoing investigation to contact the team here at Runcorn Police Station on 101."

Anyone with information or CCTV footage can call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 296064, give the details via cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Dashcam footage can be submitted online at cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage.