SWINDON'S cycle snatch robber has struck again, bringing the total number of attacks to seven in just over a week.

The man has been preying on Swindon's elderly since April 25.

In each case he targets pension-ers, approaching them from behind and snatching their handbag before escaping on his bike.

He struck again at 2.10pm yester-day, approaching a woman in Lawn Woods in Old Town.

The robber cycled alongside the woman before trying to wrench her handbag from her grasp, causing her to fall. He eventually left empty-handed.

The police helicopter was scrambled and officers on foot went to the scene but their search was fruitless.

The woman, who did not want to reveal her age to police, described her attacker as white. He was wearing a beige top and baseball cap.

The bike he was riding is believed to have a yellow saddle.

Since the first attack on an 81-year-old woman in Windsor Road, the robber has struck on consecut-ive days.

He has attempted to snatch bags from pensioners walking along the canal towpath behind Tenny-son Street, Verwood Road, Kingshill Road and Wolsely Aven-ue.

Yesterday's incident bore the hallmarks of all his previous attacks.

The man leading the investig-ation to hunt down the bag snatch-er has said he expects the robber to strike again. Det Sgt Kevin Rowles said: "What we do know is that this is a clearly established trend, but we haven't caught anyone yet.

"I would be surprised if he doesn't strike again. This man is targeting society's most vulner-able people and we need to ensure he is caught soon.

"This is a particularly cowardly style of attack because the target is always a vulnerable person and so this has become a top priority for us."

DS Rowles has assembled a unit with the brief of catching the robber but said the key would be information from the public.

"We need the public's support to catch this man and appeal to everyone to keep their eyes and ears to the ground," he added.