Police officers are carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the area, and appealed today for anyone with information to come forward.

They particularly want to hear from the driver of the car which passed, and anyone who heard the victim’s screams as she was forced to the ground.

The incident began at around 8.40pm when the woman, walking with her children near the junction with Arklay Terrace, became aware of two youths behind her.

She moved aside to let them pass, but one of the pair grabbed her shoulder bag.

They struggled, and the other youth also tried to grab the bag.

As the woman fell to the ground shouting and screaming, and her children watched in tears, a white car passed, heading east in Arklay Terrace, and the attackers fled empty-handed.

A spokesman for Tayside Police said today, “This was clearly a very traumatic incident, not just for the woman, but for her children as well.

“Officers have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the area, and a number of people have provided us with good information. We would like to thank them for their assistance so far.

“We would also renew our appeal to the public to help trace those responsible for this cowardly attack.

“We would like to speak to the driver of the white car, as there is a good chance they have seen something which would help with inquiries, and anyone who heard the woman’s screams.”

The victim, who is in her early 30s but has not been named, was said to be uninjured, but “extremely distressed” as a result of her ordeal.

The first attacker is described as being in his mid to late teens, around 5ft 7in tall, with fair hair.

He was wearing blue jeans and a light or cream-coloured jacket.

His accomplice is around the same age, 5ft 10in tall, of slim build with dark hair, and was wearing a dark hooded top, a baseball cap and jeans.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact Tayside Police on Dundee 223200 or speak to any officer.