A WOULD-be robber who threatened a woman with a screwdriver got away empty-handed after bystanders intervened.

The culprit approached the 45-year-old woman and demanded her rucksack in the incident in Staplegrove Road, Taunton, near its junction with Chip Lane, at about 5.15am on Saturday (November 2)..

There was a struggle and the woman fell to the ground before managing to get up and run away.

Shortly afterwards, the man again tried to steal her rucksack while the woman was still in Staplegrove Road.

Other people approached and the attacker ran off through the grounds of Taunton School towards Greenway Road.

The victim suffered a bump on her head and grazing when she fell.

Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

The man they believe may have important information is described as white, aged 20 to 30, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall and slim. He was wearing a dark-coloured hoodie and trousers.

If you recognise the person in the image, were in the area at the time, or have any other information which could help, get in touch with the police on 101 quoting reference 5219253548.