A STRANGER grabbed a pushchair handle from a woman as she walked with her young child in Wimborne last week.

The woman, who is in her 20s, was walking in School Lane at around 4.40pm on Monday, January 22 when the incident occurred.

She had her 18-month-old in a pushchair and was with two other children.

A man approached her, asked if she smoked and then asked if she needed any help. She refused, but the man then barged into her and grabbed hold of the pushchair handle.

The woman's handbag was strapped to the handle. She was able to hold onto the pushchair and the man let go and walked off.

The man is described as black, aged in his late thirties, around five feet four inches tall and of stocky build. He was wearing a blue jumper, blue tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

PC Michelle Yarrow, of Wimborne police, said: “Officers have carried out a number of enquiries into this incident and have identified the man involved, who has given an account and is assisting with our investigation.

“We have also carried out CCTV enquiries in the area, but it does not appear that the reported incident was captured by any cameras.

“It may be that this was a completely innocent incident that was misinterpreted but we are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed it so we can establish the full circumstances.

“Although there is nothing at this stage to suggest any wider cause for concern, local officers have been offering reassurance to the local community in the area and we have been liaising with the nearby school.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180011371.