A WOMAN was slashed in the face by robbers just a couple of weeks before her wedding day.

The 32-year-old bride-to-be has been left scarred for life after she was slashed in the face by a gang of three men on Sunday in Havelock Road, Southall, at 9.40pm.

Detective Constable John Greenfield, of Ealing Borough police, said: "This was a terrifying vicious and unprovoked attack on an innocent member of the community."

The woman does not want to be named but has given permission for a picture of her injuries to be released.

On Sunday she was on her way to see a relative. She crossed the Havelock Road from Gregory Road and entered a short alleyway leading to a block of flats when the thugs attacked her from behind.

She was pulled backwards to some concrete stairs that lead up to the first floor flats.

A spokesman for Ealing police said: "Suspect one then held a red-handled Stanley knife up to her face in a threatening manner and demanded cash.

"The victim said she didn't have any money at which point the suspect proceeded to slash the victim on the face under her right eye.

"The victim then handed over £10 cash and the suspect then said this is just for good measure' and proceeded to slash the female across the side of her mouth."

The woman, who is due to get married in the next couple of weeks, offered to give her mobile phone to the thugs but they were not interested. They ran off through the garages near the flats. Det Con Greenfield said: "It is important we locate these callous men. We would ask anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may appear, to contact us."

The first suspect is black, in his early 20s, around 6ft tall with a short, black afro hairstyle. He was of thin build, and was wearing a black bomber jacket, black jeans, white trainers and a gold ring on his wedding finger. The second suspect is also black, in his early 20s, around 6ft 2ins tall with a short, black afro and a very thin black moustache.

He was of thin build and was wearing a black bomber jacket, black jeans, black Reebok Classic trainers and a silver bracelet on his left wrist. The third suspect is Asian, in his early 20s, around 5ft 6ins tall with black, spiky hair, of medium build, and was wearing a three-quarter-length black leather jacket, dark blue jeans and a red T-shirt.

l Anyone with any information about this incident should contact DC Greenfield on 020 8246 9145