A WOMAN was threatened with a needle while waiting in her car in Bournemouth.

Police were called to the street robbery in Holdenhurst Road at 11.30pm on Tuesday night.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said; “The victim, a 28-year-old Wimborne woman, was sitting in her car that was stationary when a man knocked on her window.

“She opened the car door and the man threatened her with a needle and demanded that she handed over her handbag.

“The offender then snatched the victim's black leather Fiorelli handbag and made off in the direction of Boscombe.”

The victim was not physically injured.

Her bag contained a purse with cash and bank cards.

The offender is described as white, aged in his late thirties with light brown hair and pony tail. He was wearing a light blue denim shirt.

Jon Valinski, acting manager of the Salvation Army shop, said it was “yet another sickening incident” that highlighted the increasing drugs-related problem in the area.

“We had the police come in and speak to us about this incident, and I observed a police van dusting the car for prints.

"When you get an addict and they’re desperate, it seems they’ll do anything, even if it means threatening somebody with a needle.

“Things are escalating but that’s because the element of people that have this need are not being helped.

“I’ve heard of many incidents in the area where there are needy people who commit crimes because they’re so desperate for drugs."

Shwe Voller, trade and relationships manager at neighbouring Urban Physique, said: “It’s absolutely awful what happened, but it’s not really a shock. It’s not unusual for things like that to happen in this area.

“It’s upsetting that this happened so close to home. I was speaking to the woman’s boyfriend and he was very upset.

“I hope the police catch whoever did this,” he added.

One business owner, who wished to stay anonymous, said she saw a young woman sitting on the pavement and crying around the time of the incident.

“I was returning home from the pub and I was aware of something going on. This whole area is going downhill. I’ve never heard of someone using a needle to rob someone, though. It’s awful.” 

Detective Constable Jane Millard, of Bournemouth CID, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

"It is possible the offender discarded the handbag in the nearby vicinity so I would ask that anyone who spots such an item does not touch it, but reports it to police immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 19:552.