A YOUNG man who tried to help the victim of a robbery is being sought by police as a witness.

Dorset Police said a Bournemouth man in his 40s was walking in Christchurch Road, near the junction with Wharncliffe Road, at around 9pm on Wednesday, January 17, when he was approached from behind and pushed by two men.

They stole his wallet, after which a woman approached, searched his pockets and took his mobile phone.

Officers have interviewed one 'good Samaritan', who emerged from a nearby shop and managed to wrest back the phone from the woman before she fled the scene.

A second witness, a black man around 19 years old, chased the two men and later returned with the victim's wallet, albeit minus cash and bank cards.

Detective Inspector Wayne Seymour said: "We have spoken with the first witness who came to the victim's aid, but we would now also like to speak to the second witness who returned the victim's wallet as he may have vital information that could assist with the investigation.

"We continue to make CCTV and house-to-house enquiries."

The two male offenders were described as white, wearing dark clothes with hoods up. The female offender was white, around five feet six inches tall and of slim to medium build, wearing a green Puffa-style jacket.

Contact the force with information on 101 quoting reference 55180009175, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.