A VICIOUS thug kicked a 48-year-old woman in the face in an attempted street robbery.

The attacker was with a gang of youths. Police have today appealed directly to them to name him.

The victim was walking along Purlwell Lane, Mount Pleasant in Batley at 8.20pm last night when she passed a gang of about 10 youths.

One screamed at her and she told him to grow up.

But the next minute she felt a tug on her handbag and turned round to find the same youth trying to steal it.

In the tussle she hit him to try to fend him off, but he then thumped her in the face, forced her to the ground and then kicked her in her head.

The gang then fled empty-handed.

The victim suffered a cut above her left eye and a swollen left cheek.

Det Con Russ Conlon, of Kirklees CID intelligence unit, described the attack as "nasty and cowardly."

The attacker is Asian, in his mid teens, 5ft 4ins and slim. He wore a black hooded jacket.

The rest of the gang are all Asian youths.

Phone Kirklees CID robbery team on 01484 436685 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.