Woman dragged after bag snatch

File Photo / NZ Herald

A woman was dragged down the street after having her handbag snatched in the Wellington suburb of Johnsonville yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Martin Todd said the 46-year-old woman was walking along Frankmoore Avenue when a man drove past, did a u-turn, then demanded her handbag.

"As the vehicle drove off, the driver grabbed the handbag that the victim was holding," Mr Todd said.

"She was dragged a short distance down the street until the bag came free and was taken by the driver. The vehicle drove towards Moorefield Road."

The woman suffered lacerations to her hands and knees, and torn clothes.

"This is a particularly frightening attack, especially when a person is dragged alongside a moving vehicle," Mr Todd said.

"We hope that the public can assist in identifying the person or vehicle involved. These types of offences are rare and isolated."

The offender was described Caucasian, aged 20-25, with short, golden-coloured hair. He had a full face, big eyes and was wearing a blue cap and a green-yellow luminous vest, such as those seen on building sites.

His vehicle was described as dark green, possibly with a tinted back window.

Police wanted to hear from anyone with information.

- NZPA