violently snatch her handbag.

The incident occurred around 1.30 a.m. as the woman was standing at the junction of Queen and Reid Street.

She said she was at the pedestrian crossing when without warning, a man standing next to her began punching her in the face with one hand, while trying to grab her handbag with the other. Fortunately the bag was carried under her arm, and despite the violent attack, the man could not grab it. The victim was knocked to the ground and her clothes ripped during the struggle, and the attacker jumped on a motorcycle and rode off.

The attacker was described as being tall, light brown skinned, of thin build and wearing a dark coloured jacket with blue jeans.

The victim was persuaded to attend King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment to her injuries, which included swelling and bruising to the forehead.