RESIDENTS in Greenwich are being asked to watch out for a man with an injured hand.

The police appeal follows an attempted robbery on a 47-year-old woman in Ordnance Road near Woolwich Common last Wednesday.

The attacker grabbed her by the hair and demanded her purse and her ring, which belonged to her dead mother. When she refused, the man punched her repeatedly.

But during the struggle, the woman managed to bite the attacker's hand, and police believe the injury will still be visible between his thumb and forefinger.

She was taken to hospital and treated for severe bruising to her face and body, and for shock.

The man is white, in his early 20s, 5ft 7in, with a thin face and small nose. He wore a black fleecy, hooded top under a black leather jacket, which had a white label or badge by the right lapel; dark blue tracksuit bottoms and dirty white trainers. He spoke with a local accent.

Detective Constable David Barker of Plumstead robbery squad said: "We are urging people to be alert and look out for a man fitting this description who appears to have an injury to his right hand. It may be bandaged, it may just be covered by a plaster."

Call 020 8284 9817 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.