POLICE have released an Evofit image of a man they would like to speak to after a woman was robbed and assaulted in Preston.

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On Saturday (21 February) at around 7.35pm, a 19-year-old woman was walking down Old Vicarage across from Preston Bus Station towards the city centre. She was confronted by two men, one of which has asked her for money. He has grabbed her handbag and reached inside, removing her purse. He then put his hand inside her jacket pocket, taking her handbag and iPhone 4s.

After taking the items, the man then punched the girl in the face, knocking her backwards into a rubbish bin. Both men then ran off in the direction of the city centre.

DS Jerry Sturgess from Preston CID: “This is an appalling attack on a young care worker who was making her way to the train station to carry on her journey.

“She has been punched with such ferocity that she fell backwards and had to go to hospital to ascertain whether her cheek was actually broken.

“Thankfully, she hasn’t been left with any broken bones, however this was still a callous and violent robbery which has left her very shaken, particularly as she isn’t even from the Preston area.

“Given the time of night that this incident occurred, I am sure people must have seen something so if anyone has any information about it, please come forward.”

The man who attacked the woman is described as white, around 25 years old, 5ft 6ins, of slim build with short dark hair. He wore a black hooded top and spoke with a local accent.

The second man is described as white, 5ft 6ins, aged around 20, with short dark hair and was wearing a black jacket with a white logo on the left chest. He did not speak.

Anyone with information should contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting log number 1217 of 21 February.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.