Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a 21-year-old woman was hit on the head and her purse was stolen.

The woman had walked from NatWest in High Street, Braintree, along Coggeshall Road into Weavers Park at about 1.45pm yesterday.

Police believe she may have been followed by her attacker.

Once in Weavers Park, she was attacked from behind near the skateboard area.

Her cash, keys and documents worth about £600 were stolen from her purse.

Detective Inspector Paul Bartlett said: “This is a very unusual crime for Braintree.

"It happened during the early afternoon, and witnesses may have seen either the incident itself or an individual following this young woman from the town centre into Weavers Park.

"I would ask anyone who has information or who saw anything suspicious to contact Essex Police immediately.”

The attacker is described as a black male in his thirties, about 6ft to 6ft 2ins tall, thick set build, wearing a pale or baby blue polo shirt with a white stripe.

If yoy can help, contact Dc Jo Smith at Braintree police station on 0300 333 4444, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.