Mum with pushchair describes Tonbridge robber

Police appeal for witnesses to foiled robbery on 20 December

An appeal for witnesses has been launched after a mother reported being attacked whilst walking home after doing her Christmas shopping.

The incident happened along Shakespeare Road, by the green area opposite The Hayesbrook School in Tonbridge at 4.45pm on Thursday 20 December.

The 20-year-old victim told police a man pulled at one of her shopping bags hanging from a pushchair handle, which almost knocked over the pushchair her young son was in. The offender then grabbed one of the victim's hands and tried to prise her iPhone from her fingers – but a blue van pulled up and the robber ran away from the scene empty-handed.

Detailed description

The victim has given a detailed description of what the offender looked like. Kent Police are keen to hear from anyone who suspects they know who the attacker was, or who saw the incident occur, and also want to speak to the occupants of the blue van that pulled up.

The victim said her attacker was a white man in his 20s, of slim build and about 5’ 7” tall. He had acne on his face, especially on the left-hand side of his face and neck, with some of the spots described as quite inflamed while others had scarred. The man had a skinny face with sunken in cheeks, she said.

May have been under the influence

He was wearing a light blue-coloured hooded top with ‘McKenzie’ written on the front. His hood was pulled up over a dark coloured baseball cap. He may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

DC Laura Keeble from Kent Police said: “The victim has been able to give a really good description of the offender and I hope someone recognises who he is.”

Anyone with any information about the incident or the identity of the man described is asked to call Kent Police on 101, quoting crime reference YY/23604/12. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Posted on: 28 December 2012