TWO women were robbed of a substantial amount of money in broad daylight outside a Pontypool bank yesterday, police said.

Eyewitnesses saw an attacker hit one of the women until she fell to the ground outside Barclays Bank, Commercial Street, at around 4pm.

Police say the motorcyclists stole bags containing money from the women, who run Texaco petrol stations in Pontnewynydd and Blaenavon.

Simon Price, 40, of J and G Joinery, Pontypool, was working nearby when he saw a man wearing a crash helmet opposite the bank.

He then saw a woman, he believed to be in her 30s, walking towards the bank with bags of money.

A motorcyclist drove down the road before the man, who had been stood opposite the bank, ran and attacked the woman. She fell to the ground, he grabbed the money and jumped on the motorcycle to escape.

Mr Price said: “The woman screamed and was very shocked.”

One witness, who did not want to be named, said he saw the attacker kick and punch the woman's face and arms to make her let go of the cash.

He said the attacker rode a “superbike” and was wearing a black jacket during the incident.

Anyone with information should call Gwent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.