A WOMAN was punched in the neck by thugs during a violent robbery.

The 46-year-old woman was walking along Adelaide Road, Tilbury, towards the junction with Hobart Road, when she was approached by the four-strong gang.

They tried to talk to her before snatching her bag. The woman was punched in the neck during the struggle.

Detectives are now hunting four white men aged in their late teens to early twenties, one of which had a mountain bike.

The attack happened at 11.40pm on Sunday August 11.

Witnesses can contact Grays CID on 101.