A 61-year-old woman fought back against a gang who tried to snatch her purse.

The woman was approached by three men holding a map in Magdalen Street, Oxford, at about 11.15am yesterday, who asked her for directions.

As she looked at the map one of the men grabbed her and tried to shake a free a purse held under her arm.

She spun round and fought back and the men fled, empty handed.

Det Sgt Steve Raffield, of the Oxford robbery squad, has appealed for witnesses.

He said: “A personal attack alarm may be useful for situations like this. It will alert people who may be able to help and is also likely to cause the offender to run off.

“If you are attacked, try to get a description of the attacker and call the police immediately on 999.”

The man with the map was described as being in his early 20s, white, of medium build and having a broken eastern European accent.

He was approximately 5ft 9in and was wearing a grey sweatshirt and blue jeans.

The two other men were described as having darker skin and dark hair and said to be in their 40s.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.