victim put up a fierce fight.

Shortly before midnight on Monday, the victim was walking east along Front Street, near Queen Street, when the culprit approached her on the sidewalk from behind riding a motorbike.

He grabbed her handbag but the victim refused to let go, striking the thief with her umbrella.

After a struggle, the thief was able to free the bag from her grip and flee east along Front Street.

The victim suffered some bruising to both thighs and abrasions to her knuckles, for which she was treated at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The stolen handbag contained cash, bank cards, a cell phone and other personal items.