A Charity volunteer was viciously attacked in a busy Oxford street after chasing a shoplifter.

Ana-Rosa Hopkins

Ana-Rosa Hopkins who helps at the Sir Michael Sobell House shop in Little Clarendon Street, had pursued a woman who had been challenged by staff about a missing ring at 3.30pm on Wednesday

Mrs Hopkins said she was punched by the thief's male accomplice. The blow smashed her glasses and left her bruised and shaken.

Mrs Hopkins said she was also struck on the head by the woman. The couple ran off towards Woodstock Road.

Mrs Hopkins, a professional artist who works from a studio at her home in Oxford Road, Old Marston, later complained of pains in her neck and back, and was advised by her doctor to go to the John Radcliffe Hospital for an X-ray. Bruised but unbowed, she insists she will return to the shop next week.

Mrs Hopkins said: "I am trained in karate for self-defence but I never thought he would attack me. But he grabbed me, hit me and pushed me over backwards, which is why I have hurt my neck and back.

"I can't paint because the blow means I can't see properly."

Sobell shop manager Ulrike Granzau was threatened by the attacker on Thursday, February 19, after she recognised him in Little Clarendon Street. Police later arrested two people in the area after tracing them on CCTV and bailed them.

Last month, figures showed serious violence against the person went up 29 per cent and burglary by 17 per cent in the Thames Valley.

A man was due to appear before Oxford magistrates today in connection with the alleged incident.