POLICE are hunting a robber who pulled a woman to the ground and snatched her handbag minutes after demanding money from an elderly woman in her own home.

They believe the burglary and robbery, which happened within six minutes of each other, were committed by the same man and have urged the public to come forward with information.

The first incident happened at 3.44pm on Sunday July 26 when a man entered an address in Twynham Road, Southbourne, as a woman was unloading her shopping.

The offender asked the woman for some money but left the apartment when challenged. Nothing was taken and the victim, a woman aged in her 70s, was not physically injured.

The suspect is described as white, aged in his late teens or early 20s, five feet eight inches tall and of slim build.

Just six minutes later police received a report that a woman, in her 60s, had been approached from behind and pulled to the ground as she carried shopping along Guildhill Road, near its junction with Foxholes Road.

A man snatched a handbag, which contained a small purse with the word PINK written on it, £120 in cash, bank cards and personal articles.

The suspect ran along Foxholes Road and into a large driveway leading to properties backing onto Belle Vue Crescent. The woman was not seriously injured.

The suspect is described as white and of slim to medium build. He was wearing a grey coloured hooded top and black or navy blue tracksuit bottoms with white lines running down the sides of both legs.

Detective Constable Daniel Bartosz, of Bournemouth CID, said: "Following my investigations, I believe these two incidents may be linked and I am appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious or a man matching the description mentioned in the area at the relevant times to please call me on 101. All calls will be treated in strict confidence."

A 27-year-old man from Bournemouth and a 34-year-old man from Christchurch have been arrested in connection with both incidents and released on police bail pending further enquires.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 26:281 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.