A WOMAN was threatened with a knife after getting of a bus in Colchester.

At about 7.20pm yesterday a 56-year-old woman exited the bus on Boxted Road and was walking towards St Paul's Hospital.

A man, walking behind her, ran in front, turned and pulled out a knife demanding her bag.

She backed off and managed to flag down a passing car and the man ran off towards Mile End empty handed.

He is white, had stubble on his face, and was in his 30s. He was about 5ft 10ins tall and was wearing a woolly hat and a navy waterproof jacket.

Anybody who witnessed the incident or anyone who has any information about what happened is asked to contact Det Con Duncan Collyer at Colchester CID on 101.

People can also give information to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via an Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org