A WOMAN has been robbed at knifepoint in Kingsholm.
The terrifying ordeal took place on Wednesday at 10.40pm in Edwy Parade when the attacker put an arm around the woman's shoulder and then wielded a knife to cut the strap of her handbag.
The 43-year-old victim turned to face the robber after feeling his arm on her shoulder.
He was holding a knife and demanded her belongings before grabbing the handbag and using the knife to cut the strap.
He removed it, took the victim's purse containing £50 and two iPhone 4 handsets and then handed the bag back. He made off in the direction of Kingsholm Road.
Former policeman Brian Lawrence, 61, from Kingsholm, was also mugged recently and is concerned incidents like this are getting more frequent.
He was left with broken ribs and a fractured wrist by a robber in the area on March 28.
He said: "It is a worry, that's for sure.
"This kind of thing is getting worse and it's hard to know what you can do to stop it.
"There are plenty of police officers and CCTV cameras around but I think all we can do is look out for each other a bit more.
"I still go out, but I'm constantly on edge now. It is a frightening thing to have happened."
The mugger grabbed Brian's shopping bag, which contained alcohol and cigarettes, as well as £300 in cash which he had withdrawn to pay his rent.
Police have now issued an appeal to trace the offender of Wednesday's assault.
The suspect is described as black, around 30 years old, 5ft 11ins tall, of stocky build and with short cropped black hair. He was wearing a patterned red scarf or bandana around the lower part of his face and a "reddy pink" polo shirt.
A police spokesman said: "Robberies are rare in the county and the numbers have actually decreased significantly in the last year.
"This incident prompted an immediate and widescale search for the suspect including the use of police dogs and we want people to know that we will do everything possible to trace the offender.
"The community can help by contacting us if they know anything that could be relevant.
"Personal safety advice can also be found at www.gloucestershire. police.uk."
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is urged to call 101, quoting incident 491 of April 24. Alternatively information can be given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.