A WOMAN has been left traumatised after she was punched in the face and kicked during a vicious robbery by three teenagers.

The 43-year-old woman was attacked in an alleyway off Ashurst Drive in Blackbrook, close to the Co-op store, just seconds after she got off the number 320 bus.

They followed her into the alley where they kicked and punched her.

She was knocked to the ground before they ran off with her handbag and two bags of shopping.

Detective Constable Steven O’Neill from St Helens CID said: “These three young men launched a violent attack on the victim, just to steal a few items of shopping.

“Her ordeal has understandably left her very distressed and I want to reassure people in St Helens that we are carrying out a thorough investigation in a bid to trace and arrest the people responsible.

“The offenders are described as white, in their late teens, wearing dark clothing possible with some white on them.

“It’s thought that they may have been outside some shops on Blackbrook Road before the incident happened and I would appeal to anyone who may have seen them to get in touch with us.”

The attack happened at around 10pm on Sunday, January 19. Police issued the appeal for witnesses this week.

Anyone with information which could help detectives with their inquiries can call St Helens CID on 0151 777 6829 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.