A woman was attacked as she was about to pay in to £3,800 to Barclays Bank, George Lane, South Woodford, but managed to hold on to the cash (From This Is Local London)

A woman was attacked as she was about to pay in to £3,800 to Barclays Bank, George Lane, South Woodford, but managed to hold on to the cash

3:06pm Thursday 16th July 2009 in

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A PAIR of vicious muggers attacked a woman in broad daylight but failed to steal the £3,800 she was about to pay in to the bank.

The 31-year-old victim suffered cuts and grazes to her face, arms and legs as she struggled with the robbers outside the George Lane branch of Barclays, South Woodford, at 1.20pm yesterday.

She fell on top of her bag and held on tight so the suspects were unable to take steal it. A passer-by then intervened and both suspects fled in a silver car.

The Guardian spoke to a 15-year-old eyewitness to the attack who did not want to be named.

He said: "This Chinese woman and her husband or boyfriend were sitting in a car and then she jumped out and jogged across the road towards the bank.

"Then this silver new version Toyota Yaris pulled up and then two really built men got out the back and grabbed her.

"But she tucked the bag into her body and crouched down with her knees up in a crab position so she they couldn't get near it.

"The men were still trying to grab the bag and as they were so big and she was so skinny they were lifting her up and slamming her against the floor.

"Then a woman nearby shouted 'leave her alone' and they got in the car and drove off."

A Redbridge Police spokeswoman said the suspects escaped around the wrong way of George Lane roundabout and over the viaduct.

She added: "A member of the public gave chase until Chigwell Lane but then lost sight of the culprits.

"One of the attackers was a light skinned black man, 25 to 30 years old, 6ft tall with a broad build.

"The second suspect is described as a white man between 23 and 24 years of age."

Anyone with information should call DC Jennifer Watson on 8345 2612 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.