A FEMALE robber apologised to a woman before wrenching her handbag from her.

Police said the victim was walking down what is known locally as Nobby's Alley, which connects Upshire Road and Wormyngford Court, when was approached by a "large" woman running towards her.

The assailant said “sorry about this” before shoving the victim hard and wrenching a handbag from her shoulder.

She then ran to a car parked at the entrance to the alleyway, believed to be a Silver Renault Clio, old style, in which a man was sitting waiting.

The woman got in the car which drove off in the direction of Waltham Abbey.

The robber is described as white aged late 20s to early 30s, with long dark brown hair, partly pulled back in a clip, leaving her fringe loose. She was of large build and about 5ft 6ins tall. She was wearing a close-fitting short sleeved white top and black trousers.

Her accomplice was white, with short dark curly hair, which seemed fairly heavily gelled and slightly spiky. He was also of a heavy, stocky build and aged in his early 30s.

Anyone with any information about the robbery is asked to call PC Jacqui Mileham at Epping on 0300 333 4444, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.