A WOMAN was attacked at York station in an attempted robbery.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to help identify the attacker following the incident in the women’s toilets off Platform 9.

The 20-year-old female victim, from Stafford, was leaving when the suspect, who was also in the toilet at the time, pushed her back into one of the cubicle walls.

The suspect, who was hiding her face with a hooded top, then demanded that she hand over her purse.

Detective Constable Lee Parsons, of British Transport Police’s criminal investigation department, said: “In an attempt to escape, the victim pushed past the suspect and ran out of the toilet on to the main platform, leaving the suspect empty-handed.

“As she escaped, the victim sustained a cut to her hip.”

The incident happened at about 3.20pm on Monday, May 16.

Det Con Parsons said officers were viewing CCTV from the station and on trains leaving York at the time.

He said: “We want to build up an exact picture of what happened and the circumstances surrounding the incident. “Luckily the victim managed to escape this ordeal with her purse, but she sustained a nasty injury as a result.

“I would ask for anyone who was in the toilets at the time and saw this attack or who was at the station at the time to come forward and provide officers with key information that can assist this investigation.”

The suspect is described as a woman, 5ft 4in, and was wearing distinctive blue trainers with big, blue laces. She smelt strongly of stale tobacco.

Anything with information is asked to phone 0800 40 50 40 quoting B7/NEA of 23/05/2011. Or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.