A MUGGER who threatened a woman with a knife and then stole her purse is being hunted by police.

The man targeted the 54-year-old as she walked down a path outside Burnley Registry Office in Todmorden Road, at around 9.30pm on Wednesday night, February 12.

He approached the victim, who was on her way home from work, and threatened to hurt her with a knife before demanding her handbag.

The woman pleaded with him but eventually let him take her bag, which contained cash, a purse and an iPhone. He then ran off towards Holme Street.

DC Phil Scott from Burnley CID said: “This is a despicable and cowardly crime that has left the victim, who was simply making her way home after a day at work, badly shaken.

“I must commend a brave member of public who tried to intervene but understandably, became concerned for his safety after seeing a knife.

“We know that the offender was in the company of a woman before this incident and so I am urging her to do the right thing and come forward.

“Similarly, if you saw or know anything about this incident, please speak to us.”

The mugger is described as white, aged around 20, approximately 5ft 10ins and wearing a dark grey hooded, dark tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

Anyone with information can call 01282 472170 or if you fail to get an answer, 101, quoting incident reference 1550 of February 12th. Alternatively you can email 3969@lancashire.police.uk.

Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.