POLICE are appealing for the public's help in identifying a man they believe robbed a young woman on her way home from a night out.

The 22-year-old victim had spent the evening in Manchester before returning to Bury on the Metrolink.

From the Interchange terminal, the woman walked along Princess Parade and through the open market. As she was passing through the subway under Angouleme Way the offender approached her from behind and tapped her on the shoulder.

The man, caught on cctv, then pushed her to the ground, wrestling a phone from her before checking her handbag and running away. The victim was able to get the attention of a passer-by who called the police. The incident happened around 1.20am on Sunday July 4. The wanted man was described as Asian, about 5ft 8ins, and wore a dark jacket with a distinctive white piping running along the right sleeve and on to the front panel. It is thought he also had a drawstring bag on his back.

PC Andy Wright said: "This incident has left the victim extremely shaken and there are two people we would like to talk to.

"Apart from the offender, there was another man walking that route at the time of the attack and he passed the victim when she was being comforted.

"We believe he saw the offender as he turned and ran back through the underpass. If this is you, or you recognise the offender, please call us."

Bury Robbery Unit can be contacted on 0161 856 8115 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.