Hobart detectives are continuing to investigate two violent street robberies that occurred in Sandy Bay on the evening of Thursday, 27 October 2016.

The first crime occurred in Duke Street at about 11pm when a male offender approached a 59 year old woman who was walking home from a local shopping centre. She was pulled to the ground, punched or kicked by the man who then tried to steal her handbag. He fled when he was unable to wrestle the bag from her. The woman sustained grazes and a suspected fractured arm in the attack.

In a second robbery only minutes later, the same offender approached a young woman who was waiting for a bus on Churchill Avenue near the University of Tasmania. After asking her the time, he punched her several times to the head, dragged her to the ground and stole her backpack containing a Dell laptop and other items. The victim sustained facial injuries.

Detectives are describing the crimes as violent attacks committed on soft targets by a particularly cowardly individual.

The vehicle used by the offender has been identified as a 1995–2000 model white Nissan Pulsar hatch (wagon), fitted with black alloy wheels.

The offender was in company with a second person who remained in the vehicle.

The offender is described as 180-185cm, 25-35 years, short light brown hair and he was wearing dark pants and a light coloured hoodie.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 (this can be done anonymously) or Hobart CIB on 6173 2603.