THIS is the terrifying moment a woman had her bag snatched by a street robber.

The thief struck at 11.30am on Monday as the woman was walking along Moor Lane, close to Bolton Bus Station.

He grabbed her bag from her shoulder and cycled off.

A witness was not able to stop him but did manage to take this picture of him as he made his escape.

He said: “He just grabbed the bag from her shoulder and cycled off.

“Lots of people crowded round the woman but I think she was OK. I was not able to stop him, but I had my camera on me so I took a picture. I hope he is caught, I think he was looking for someone to target.”

It was the first of three robberies to take place in just 12 hours.

The second took place in Newport Road, Great Lever, at 6.15pm on Monday A 21-year-old man was sitting in a Vauxhall Astra sending a text message when three thieves got into the car and made demands.

They punched the victim, who suffered a swollen cheek and bloodied nose, and stole his phone, cash and car keys and fled on foot.

A 22-year-old woman and a 19-year old man have been arrested and were being questioned.

Then shortly after midnight on Tuesday, in Manchester Road, Great Lever, a victim was dragged to a cash machine by a robber.

But the 34-year-old victim managed to get away.

A 39-year-old man has been arrested and was being questioned by police.

Insp Andy Sidebotham, of Bolton central policing team, said: “The hot weather has seen an increase in robberies.

“I would urge the public to be aware of their surroundings and conceal their valuables as they are attractive to thieves. If you see anything suspicious call 101.”