A 45-year-old woman was left shaken after being attacked and robbed by four youths who flagged her car down at Corton, near Lowestoft in the early hours of yesterday.

A 45-year-old woman was left shaken after being attacked and robbed by four youths who flagged her car down at Corton, near Lowestoft in the early hours of yesterday.

The woman was driving along the A12 northbound towards the Rackhams Corner roundabout when she was overtaken by four males in a red Corsa.

As she approached she noticed the Corsa was on the roundabout and on fire and she saw a male at the side of the road flagging her down. He went over to her and told her there had been an accident then demanded she hand over her car keys.

When she refused she was assaulted by the youth, then by a second who pulled her from the car before she managed to get away and call the police.

All four youths got into the vehicle and stole her handbag before fleeing on foot when they realised she had called police.

The victim suffered an injury to her ear and was taken to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston.

Suffolk police are appealing for witnesses following the robbery that happened at around 5am at the roundabout where the A12 meets Gorleston Road.

Spokesman Anne-Marie Breach said: “It was quite a frightening attack for the victim. It's quite a rare occurrence to actually have something like that happen.”

Anyone with information should call Lowestoft CID on 01986 835300.

A 17-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man were yesterday arrested in connection with the incident.