A robber befriended a Wigan partygoer as she walked home before pushing her over and fleeing with her handbag on Sunday.
The 26-year-old victim, who had been on a night out with friends, was befriended by the man on Dorning Street at around 1.10am.
They began chatting while walking along Frog Lane and the man offered to share a taxi with her to go via the woman’s house.
However as they walked under a railway bridge the man pushed her over and fled with her bag which contained her phone and other personal items.
Detective Constable Rachel Forsythe said: “This woman has felt cheated. When the man came and spoke to her, he came across as friendly and harmless and she was taken by surprise when she was pushed over.
“We are appealing for any witnesses to the attack, or anyone who may have seen similar suspicious behaviour that night.
“It can often feel unnecessary to get a taxi if you live within walking distance from the town centre, but we would ask anyone wanting to walk home alone thinks twice before they do so.
“You should always stick to main roads that are well lit, and friends should also know where you are.”
The offender is described as being a white man in his late teens, 5ft 9in tall, of slim build, with short dark hair. He was wearing a black jacket with a light coloured hooded top and black jeans or tracksuit bottoms. He was wearing trainers with light coloured parts.
Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 7295 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
