A MYSTERY thief has robbed a woman in the third attack of its kind in the Valley Road led t8 tube replacemen area of Scarborough in less than a week.
The man grabbed the woman's handbag as she walked along Westwood at 6.45am yesterday.(TUESDAY)
She resisted and the thief made off in the direction of Valley Road.
Police said the woman was deeply distressed, but not hurt.
Detectives have linked the incident to two other recent attacks on women and have now stepped up patrols in the area.
A 26-year-old nurse was the first victim and was grabbed by a man six days ago and held at knifepoint in a tunnel which runs from Valley Road to Londesborough Road, known as the "Dark Arches".
The attacker told her to leave her handbag on the floor and ran off with it in the direction of Valley road.
The second woman was also attacked at knifepoint also six days ago in virtually the same place as the first attack.
She was also told to leave her bag, but resisted and the robber left empty handed. Again he ran off in the direction of Valley Road.
Gucci Wallet Bags ReplicaDet Sgt Nigel Farthing of Scarborough CID said: "We have increased high visibility patrols where the incident has occurred with a view to identify the offender, to prevent a further offence and reassure the public.
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"There was no weapon used on this occasion, however, it is thought a knife was used in the first two.
"We are concerned there have been three similar attacks in such a short period of time and we would appeal for any information in relation to these offences."
The attacker in this latest incident is described as 25-30 years old, 6ft tall with a stocky build. He was wearing a grey three-quarter length nylon raincoat, khaki coloured combat trousers with pockets, a black woolly hat and trainers.
Police would especially like to hear from a man on a bicycle who spoke to the woman at the time of the latest attack and rode off in the direction of Tesco.
Anyone with any information call Scarborough CID on (01723) 509472.