POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two St Albans women were robbed in the early hours of Saturday morning (August 24).

The women were walking along St Stephen's Hill from a nightclub in the city between 3.30am and 3.45am when they noticed a dark coloured BMW had stopped a short distance behind them as they neared Watford Road.

The women continued to walk along Watford Road when two men got out of the car and followed them.

One of the men then grabbed one of the women's handbags and in the struggle she fell to the ground.

The 23-year-old woman suffered cuts, bruising and swelling to the side of her face and a cut to her knee in the attack.

The bag containing £10 cash, bankcards and a mobile phone was stolen by the man who ran back to the car.

A second man ripped the bag from the shoulder of the other woman, also causing her to fall.

She suffered grazed feet and cuts in the incident and lost her bag containing £10 cash, bankcards, a mobile phone and earrings.

One of the victim's purses was later found in Luton and one of the handbags was recovered from Batchwood Golf Course.

Detective Constable Simon Hill said: "There were three occupants in the BMW, which is described as dark blue or black.

"If anyone witnessed the attack or thinks they saw this vehicle with the three men inside at some point that evening, I would ask them to contact us immediately."

The first man is described as black, in his early to mid-20's, with a shaved head.

He wore a navy blue hooded top and dark trousers.

The second man is white, 6ft 2in tall, with broad shoulders and a thin build.

He had dirty blond hair and a spotty complexion and was wearing a t-shirt with blue stripes across it.

There is no description of the third man the driver of the BMW, who remained in the car.

Anyone with information is asked to call the area crime unit on 01707 638231. Alternatively, you can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

August 22, 2002 10:00