A POLICE investigation has been launched after a woman was robbed by three hooded men in Barnsley last week.
The 36-year-old was walking along Vernon Road, Worsbrough Bridge, at around 7.40pm last Thursday when she was confronted by the gang near the entrance to a ginnel which leads to Shield Avenue.
The three men, described as wearing dark clothing with their hoods pulled over their heads, were standing beside bikes and made demands for the victim to hand over her handbag.
Detective Sergeant Ritchie Mason said: “The men grabbed the woman’s handbag, before searching it for her phone and cash.
“One of the men is then said to have got hold of the victim and made attempts to drag her into the ginnel. Thankfully, the victim’s screams caused the men to quickly leave the area on their bikes.”
Police presence has been increased in the area since the incident, to provide reassurance to residents.
“I know that incidents of this nature can understandably cause alarm within our communities but I’d like to reassure people that this incident is a priority for us and we have had an increased police presence in the area,” DS Mason said.
“I’d like to ask anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area to please get in touch with us. Information you have could help with our enquiries.”
* Call 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 55111, quoting incident number 934 of November 16.
