A TEENAGE gang swiped a woman's handbag after stopping her in the street to ask if she had a cigarette.

The woman was walking along Wanstead Lane, near Redbridge station, at around 10pm last Wednesday (July 15) when she was approached by a group of five to six youths.

One member of the gang asked her if he could have a cigarette.

When she refused, the man grabbed her bag and the group ran off.

The man who snatched the bag is described as a light skinned man with a brown-red hat, and is about 5ft10 tall.

He was also with a white woman who was about 5ft2 tall.

The rest of the gang were all either white or mixed race.

All the group are thought to be around 15 years old.

Anyone with any information about the incident should call Redbridge Police on 8345 2681.