A dog walker in her seventies fell to the ground as a man attempted to steal her handbag on Saturday.

The victim was walking two dogs along a footpath behind Hazlemere Recreation Ground, off Amersham Road, at about 3pm when the attacker crept behind her and attempted to pull the bag from her shoulder.

As the woman struggled to keep hold of the handbag she fell to the ground and the contents of her bag spilled on to the floor.

Police said she screamed and made a lot of noise which caused the offender to run away empty-handed.

The offender is white, 17 to 18-years-old, 5ft 9ins to 5ft 10ins and slim. He has black hair and was possibly wearing jeans and a short-sleeved top.

The man had a small black terrier-type dog with him.

Anyone with information should contact PC Chris Flowers at High Wycombe Police Station on 101.

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org