CCTV appeal after robbery in Stoke-on-Trent

Do you recognise this man? Detectives are appealing for anyone who recognises a man they wish to speak to in connection with a robbery in Stoke-on-Trent.

The incident occurred at about 6.15pm on 8 April just off Tunstall High Street.

A woman, aged in her 20s, was walking near to Tunstall Market and went to enter the underpass to get to The Boulevard. A man approached her from the direction of the market and called her to get her attention. He at first demanded money and said he had a knife on him and would use it against her. When she said she didn’t have any he grabbed her handbag off her shoulder and fled, possibly towards Tower Square.

The man is described as white with a pale complexion, short hair and freckled face, about 5ft 5in in height and of thin build. He is aged possibly in his mid-30s and who spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a possibly grey zip up jacket and joggers which were possibly dark red.

The bag is described as a corduroy tan shoulder bag which was double handled with a clasp. It contained the woman’s bright yellow purse and a rose gold watch with a metal strap and round watch face.

If anybody recognises the man in the image, saw or heard anything suspicious in the area at the time or may have been offered any of the items described for sale, message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter quoting incident number 594 of 8 April, call 101 or alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.