Thames Valley Police is trying to trace the occupants of two vehicles who they believe witnessed an attempted robbery in Milton Keynes on Tuesday (11/52010).

The incident happened at about 12.20pm in Church Street, Fenny Stratford, as the victim, a 19-year-old woman, was walking towards Aylesbury Street. As she reached the turning to Durrans Court, she was grabbed by a man, who held her in both arms and said: ‘This is a robbery, give me your stuff’.

As the victim was being held, she noticed an old style white van coming from the direction of Victoria Road. There were two white men in the front of the van and when they saw what was happening, they sounded the vehicles horn, causing the offender to let go of the victim. The victim also noticed a green Vauxhall Corsa travelling towards her, from Aylesbury Street, with a white female driver.

The victim walked away from the offender and past the sandwich shop in Church Street. She saw the same white van and the driver mouthed at her to ask if she was ok.

The victim was wearing black leggings, black boots and a black top. She was also wearing a blue chequered shirt over the black top and a cream handbag.

The offender is black, 5ft 6ins, and in his mid twenties to mid thirties. He had dark, short, receding hair and was wearing an oversized cream jumper with a hood on the back and a zip down the front. The right sleeve had black writing in a line down it.

Det Con John Swallow, leading the investigation, said: “We are very keen to speak to the two men in the white van who witnessed the incident and also the woman driving the green Vauxhall Corsa. Although the offender did not manage to steal anything from the victim she was left shaken by the incident, which took place in the middle of the day in a busy area. We would also like to hear from anyone else in the area who may have seen what happened.”

If you have any information about the incident, please contact Det Con John Swallow at Milton Keynes police station via the 24-hour non-emergency number, 0845 8 505 505. If you do not want to speak to the police, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also give information to the police in person by visiting any police or call 0845 8 505 505.