A woman was attacked in the centre of Brighton just after getting out of a taxi.
She was grabbed from behind and dragged to the ground before her attacker ran off with her handbag.
The 39-year-old woman was robbed in St George’s Mews, Brighton, at about 1.40am on Saturday (28 May) shortly after getting out of a taxi in Trafalgar Street.
She managed to kick her attacker who ran off towards Gloucester Road.
He dumped her handbag near by but had taken her BlackBerry mobile phone.
Detective Constable Liz Simpson said: “This has been a frightening experience for the victim.
“Neighbourhood officers are conducting house-to-house inquiries to assist with the investigation.
“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour to contact police immediately.”
The suspect was described as slim, 6ft tall, aged in his thirties, with dark hair and a European complexion.
The bag was later recovered in a car park, which is reached via Gloucester Street.
Police are reviewing CCTV footage and examining the recovered bag for forensic evidence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.