WITNESSES are urged to come forward after an attempted robbery of a handbag and phone in Parkend Road, Gloucester.

The incident occurred at around 10am on June 25 when a man attempted to seize a handbag and mobile phone from a young Asian woman dressed in Muslim clothes.

The man is suspected to have been carrying a knife.

The woman is believed to have been wearing a traditional long black dress and a navy blue head scarf.

Police are searching for two men in a red van who came to the woman's help and chased the suspect.

These witnesses could play a major part helping the police solve this crime and it is important they come forward as soon as possible.

Anyone who has information about this attempted robbery is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident number 137 of June 25.