POLICE are investigating a robbery in which a cash collector was targeted in South Tyneside.
The raid happened at about 6.20pm on Friday when the victim, a 35-year-old woman, who works for a small loans company, was in Marsden Lane, South Shields.
She had been collecting payments in the area when she was approached by a man, who grabbed her by the hair and pushed her into a fence before demanding she hand over cash.
The woman handed over a money bag with an amount of cash inside and the offender ran off.
The woman was shocked and shaken, but was uninjured.
After police inquiries, a 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and has been bailed.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the robbery or anyone with information about the incident to contact them.
Det Insp Caroline Ord said: “We’d like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time who saw the robbery take place or who has information about what happened and the whereabouts of the stolen cash.
“It’s a timely reminder for other small loan companies or anyone involved in businesses where they may be collecting money or transporting money to a bank that suspected thieves do operate.”
She added: “People should be vigilant and not carry large sums of money on them wherever possible. If involved in collections, they should ensure they are not doing it alone.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.