A 27-year-old female was left extremely shaken following an attempted street robbery in Houghton Regis yesterday afternoon.

The victim was on the phone whilst walking her dog in the woodland just behind Plaiters Way, Houghton Regis at around 12.20pm when a man approached her. She was forced to the floor and the assailant demanded money before grabbing a stick and beating her with it several times. He fled when the woman’s dog returned and bit him.  

She was taken to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

Bedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses and have said the offender is a white man, very tanned, between 19 and 25 years old, of stocky build, around six foot tall, with a pronounced jaw and defined cheekbone, and short dark brown or black hair.  

He was wearing a blue t-shirt with white writing which ran diagonally across it, black baggy jeans and black trainers. The man also had a new look Celtic tattoo on his forearm and smelt of alcohol and cannabis.

Detective Constable Barry Kerr, who is investigating the incident, is keen to hear from anyone who was in the Plaiters Way area at the time of the attack or may have seen the offender fleeing afterwards.

He said: "This was a cowardly attack on a lone woman which has left her very distressed. I would like to reassure the public that we are doing all we can to identify and apprehend this individual and I am eager to hear from anyone who can assist us in this matter.

"Somebody knows who this man is, and I would encourage that person to contact us, or Crimestoppers where information given to us will be treated in confidence."

If you have information relating to this incident, contact DC Kerr, in confidence, on 01582 473134, the non-emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.