POLICE have upped the ante in their search for an aggressive and opportunistic thief who targeted a Hereford mother, out pushing her child in a pram, last year.

An e-fit has been released in the hope witnesses will come forward with information about the attempted robbery on a footpath off Abbotsmead Road in Belmont on November 20.

The same woman – described as blond and between 5ft and 5ft 6in ¬– is believed to have been involved in two other confrontations earlier that day.

The Abbotsmead Road attack occurred at around 3.30pm; the victim was talking on her mobile phone when she was attacked by a woman who attempted to grab her phone, before shouting abuse and demanding money.

When the victim tried to walk away with her young child, the woman hit her – scratching her face – and tried to snatch her handbag from the back of the pushchair.

With the mother calling out for help, the woman fled empty-handed.

Around an hour earlier the woman is believed to have pushed a teenage girl into the road, having followed her from a bus stop on Northolme Road.

And, shortly before the attempted robbery took place, a woman matching the description was reported as shouting abuse at a Flaxley Drive resident before walking in front of traffic on Abbotsmead Road.

Detective constable Charlie Wells, investigating the incidents, said: “I would like to thank all those who came forward with information when we first released appeals about this woman.

“If anyone recognises the woman in the e-fit, please contact the police.

“She is described as white, between 5ft and 5ft 6ins tall, of a medium build and aged between 20 and 27. She had shoulder-length, curly hair with blonde highlights, blue eyes and a pointy nose.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact DC Wells via the non-emergency police number 101 or information can be passed on anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting the reference number 428S 20/11/13.