A MUM was mugged on her own doorstep in Leigh after walking home with her four-year-old son.

Samantha Brown was on her way home with her son Stanley from the 180 Club on Railway Road last Saturday at around 11pm after an enjoyable evening at a family race night event for the 13th and 18th Leigh Cub Scouts and Beavers.

She has volunteered for the group as a beaver leader since last year.

After heading along Windermere Road towards Glebe Street, two men walked towards Samantha and Stanley but the mum and son stayed close together and carried on.

As they reached their front door on Glebe Street, Samantha noticed one of the men that had just passed her on Windermere Road was right next to her.

Samantha, 32, said: "I was absolutely petrified when I saw him.

"At that moment my mother's instincts kicked in and I reached down and grabbed Stanley to protect him.

"I thought 'oh my God, he is going to take my boy'.

"I did not know whether he wanted me, my son or my handbag.

"He grabbed my bag off me and I screamed as loud as possible, and of course, this made Stanley very upset.

"Obviously my son's safety is more important than anything in my bag so I did not try and stop him from taking it.

"It's bad enough mugging someone on their own but I just cannot understand the mindset of anyone who is doing it when they are with a child."

After snatching Samantha's bag, the thug ran off in the direction of Windermere Road.

Since the incident, Samantha, who suffered bruising on her left arm after the attack, has been afraid to leave her house on her own.

She added: "I am scared of anyone walking past me at the moment because I think if someone would mug me when I am with my boy, what would stop them doing it to me in broad daylight.

"My husband Matthew has also been good with helping me to get out the house this week."

After her harrowing experience, Samantha is determined to get involved in efforts to tackle crime in the town centre.

Samantha said: "I am aware that there are community groups involved in making a difference to problems we have in Leigh at the moment.

"I have spoken to people in the area who have shared similar stories of bag snatching and other crimes like street brawls and I want to see if I can join a group that helps to do something about it.

"I want to turn what happened to me and Stanley into a positive."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

If you have any information contact the police on 101, quoting incident number 2,504 of June 30.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.