Police are appealing for help in tracing a cyclist who snatched a woman’s handbag.

The incident occurred in Barwell at, around 10am on Wednesday, December 19.

Moments before the incident the victim, a 24-year-old woman, had withdrawn £200 in cash from a cash machine in High Street, Barwell. She put the money in her handbag, which she left resting on the handlebars of her bicycle.

She then cycled down High Street and Barwell Lane, used the underpass to get to the other side of the A47, where she got off the bike.

A youth cycled from behind her and snatched the handbag. He then turned round and cycled along the sliproad to the A47, laughing as he made off.

The handbag was later recovered from a field off Barwell Lane, without the £200.

Officers are looking for a white man or youth wearing a black hooded jacket with black jogging bottoms and white shoes which had a distinctive green version of the Nike logo on them.

PC 647 Stuart Clough, from the Barwell and Early Shilton neighbourhood policing team, is investigating the case.

He said:

“This was a mean offence. Fortunately the victim was not injured but she was left shaken, and the loss of the money had a significant effect on her plans for Christmas.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC 647 Stuart Clough on 101, follow the instructions to leave a message for a police officer and when prompted key in the officer’s identification number 0647. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111 .

Calls to 101 cost 15p for the entire call from both mobile ‘phones and land lines. Please note some mobile ‘phone service providers may charge for the call in Crimestoppers.

Crime reference number: LH/06770/12-1