A FORMER councillor who was attacked at a mugging hotspot is calling for security to be upped in the area.

Cathy Priddey was going to meet her partner for a romantic Valentine's Day meal when she was jumped on by an attacker near Hither Green Station.

Now the former Lib Dem councillor is urging those now serving in the town hall to improve safety in the area, which is a notorious haunt for muggers.

Ms Priddey, 40, was attacked at around 8pm, on February 14, as she walked towards the station down Beacon Road, Hither Green.

She was pushed to the ground before having her handbag, which contained a mobile phone, purse and a Valentine's card, stolen.

In September 2004, four new CCTV cameras were introduced outside the station, in response to a spate of muggings.

But Ms Priddey, who says she felt "shaken and angry" after the attack, believes more needs to be done to protect residents.

She claims people walking down Beacon Road would be safer if lighting was improved.

Ms Priddey, of Radford Road, Hither Green, said: "This is a really dangerous stretch of road in the dark.

"I have always felt nervous and vulnerable walking down there and now it turns out I have had good reason to be."

The ex-Downham ward councillor added: "The council needs to take this threat more seriously. The area is unsafe."

Lewisham Council says it upgraded lighting around the station two years ago.

A spokesman added: "We are reviewing the lighting in Beacon Road to see if there is anything extra which can be done to make the area safer still."

Ms Priddey says her attacker is black and in his early 20s. He is around 5ft 8in tall, powerfully built and was wearing a black woolly hat.

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.