A female tourist was pulled to the ground by a motorcyclist who grabbed her handbag as he drove past her in Southampton on Sunday.

The American woman was mugged as she walked west along South Road, near its junction with Cross Bay Road, just before 6.40 p.m. The 54-year-old suffered a bump to the head plus cut knees and elbows.

Her attacker sped off with the white handbag, which contained cash and personal items. It was found that evening with all its contents intact by a local in bushes near Lighthouse Road, Southampton.

Police said yesterday they were investigating the theft and thanked the member of the public who returned the bag.