An elderly woman was knocked to the ground after a thief snatched her handbag on Sunday evening.

The 77-year-old woman from Southampton suffered abrasions to her lips, right palm, chin, both knees and a cut on her tongue, but was not taken to hospital.

A Police spokesman said at around 5.45 p.m., the woman had gone to Southampton Post Office on Middle Road to collect her mail.

She checked a post office box at the side of the building, and then went to check her other mail box at the front when an unknown male appeared and grabbed her handbag.

As she tried to hang onto her bag, she was pulled to the ground, and the culprit then ran off with her purse. The bag contained $150 in cash, credit cards and other personal items.

The culprit is described as being in his late teens or early twenties, of dark brown complexion, medium build, clean shaven and approximately five-foot-seven-inches tall. Inquires into the incident are underway, and anyone with information should call Police on 295-0011.