A woman’s nose was broken and tooth chipped by a man who tried to steal her mobile phone in the early hours of July 13.

The 46-year-old was walking home from Staines town centre at about 1.30am when she was approached by a man who tried to talk to her. As she walked down Woodthorpe Road, in Ashford, she answered a call on her mobile phone.

The man then pulled the woman’s hair and punched her in the face, in an attempt to grab the phone. She held on to it and a passing car disturbed the offender, causing him to run away down an alleyway close to the junction with Chesterfield Road.

The woman was taken to St Peter’s Hospital and was found to have a broken nose and a chipped tooth. She has since returned to the hospital and seen a dentist to treat the injuries.

Detective Constable John Hobbs said: “This was a nasty attack on a lone woman walking home after a night out. We’re eager to find the person responsible and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. In particular, we want to identify the car that drove past and interrupted the robbery.

“We don’t have a description of the car, but at that time of night it could have been a taxi. Perhaps you were in the car returning home after a Saturday night out or were in the area walking back with friends? If you saw anything suspicious, please let us know.”

The man is described as white, about 30 years old, of an average build and about 5ft 7in. He had short shaved hair and was wearing a black zip-up jacket and dark trousers.

If you witnessed this offence, or know anything else that could help, please call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference SL/08/3011.