She was one of three victims of similar incidents this week involving someone riding either a moped or a mini-moto bike.

The unnamed woman, whom police confirmed today had now left hospital, was the first victim of an attack on Monday.

She was walking past the Gloucester Centre, in Morpeth Close, Orton Longueville, Peterborough, at 10am when a youth on a moped grabbed her handbag from her shoulder.

The woman tried desperately to hold on to the strap, but he viciously knocked her over.

His victim was then dragged along the ground for several seconds, before he managed to shake her off and made his escape.

She had to be taken to Peterborough District Hospital with what police described as a "serious" injury and was detained for treatment.

The second attack came on Tuesday, at 11am, as a woman was walking home along The Village, in Orton Longueville, and a youth rode up behind her on a mini-moto.

To the woman's horror, he came up close, and then made a bid to rip her handbag from her.

He failed, but his shocked victim sustained a minor injury.

On the same day, shortly before 11am, a man on a moped rode by and grabbed a woman's handbag in nearby Weatherthorn, Orton Malborne. She was almost knocked off her feet, but wasn't injured.

Police said the three incidents were being linked and investigations were continuing.

Two boys, aged 16 and 15 have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and were bailed to appear again at Thorpe Wood police station, Peterborough, today.