A Burgess Hill woman was the victim of terrifying attack as she walked home.
A man approached her from behind in St John's Road early on Bank Holiday Monday.
The man wrapped his arms around the woman and tried to grab her handbag but she put up a struggle and he ran off.
The man was white and wore a black padded jacket and white trousers.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses. They particularly want to trace a man passing on the other side of the road at the time of the incident and the driver of a white car who stopped and spoke to the victim.
The woman, aged 30, suffered minor scratches during the attack.
Anyone with information to the two incidents should contact Haywards Heath CID on 0845 6070999.
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