A MUM was dragged along the floor by a robber riding a moped who grabbed her and tried to steal her mobile phone.

The woman in her 50s was walking along Billericay’s High Street using her phone at about 10pm on Monday when the thug rode onto the pavement behind her.

She had reached Waitrose when the man reached out, grabbed her wrist and tried to ride off.

By holding onto her phone, the woman was dragged onto the floor and behind the moped.

She suffered cuts and bruises and even had a clump of hair pulled out.

The woman, who did not want to be identified, posted on Facebook about her ordeal to warn others.

She said: “Tonight I have been targeted by the white moped phone stealer. I was outside Waitrose at about 10 pm having just left friends at Wildwood.

“I had my phone in my hand checking my messages, and he came up the pavement after me. He grabbed my phone, but I wouldn’t let go and was dragged along the pavement.

“I have some grazes, but I’m OK. I kicked out at him, but he got away.”

She said that she was left feeling angry and had suffered a couple of bruises and scratches to her face and elbow.

She was not injured badly enough to need treatment from ambulance crews.

Yesterday morning she added: “I am OK this morning apart from aches and pains.

“I have reported the incident to Essex Police.

“Many, many thanks for all the lovely support and helpful comments.

“People are very kind mainly. We must remember that.”

She urged people to remain vigilant when using their phones in Billericay town centre.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “A woman in her 50s was walking along the High Street in Billericay at around 10.10pm on Monday when someone tried to grab her phone out of her hand.

“The suspect, riding a white Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super, drove up from behind the victim, grabbed her phone and wrist, and tried to ride off.

“The victim was dragged along the floor but managed to kick out, forcing the suspect to ride off empty handed.

“The victim suffered scratches to her face and elbow and also had a clump of hair pulled out.”

Inquiries are ongoing and police are searching for witnesses.

So far, no arrests have been made.

If anyone saw what happened, they are asked to call Det Con Danielle Hutton at Basildon CID on 101.

People can also give information to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.