A robbery victim who was throttled in a horrendous daylight attack has spoken of her struggle to return to normality.

The victim, a 40-year-old American who has only been in London eight months, was set upon by two men on motorbikes near her home in Beltran Road, Fulham, just off Wandsworth Bridge Road.

One of the attackers grabbed her throat and started strangling her while trying to wrench three rings, including her engagement band, off her hands.

After a terrifying struggle, the victim handed over the rings and the robbers, who wore their helmets with visors down throughout the horrific ordeal, escaped on their bikes towards Wandsworth Bridge Road.

Describing the attack, the emotional victim, who doesn't want to be named, said: "It was still light and I was just getting out of my car after coming back from the Sainsbury's round the corner.

"The first I knew of them was when one of them grabbed me by the throat. At first I thought it was one of my friends trying to scare me.

"I thought they were trying to steal my car so I threw my keys at them, but then they started yanking at the rings but couldn't get them off.

"It seemed to go on for an eternity. In my mind I thought I would be okay as long as I could get the rings off. Then I handed them over and they escaped. I was just in total shock."

The attack, which happened at about 5pm on February 5, has left the victim very nervous of her surroundings and clouded her opinion of London.

"It's just so hard to believe it could happen round here because it's such a nice neighbourhood," she said.

"I'm trying to put it in perspective but it does change you – I'm anxious when I'm outside and it's made me not want to live here.

"It's bad, but I'll now only remember London for this."

The victim also desperately wants her rings back. The engagement ring is two-carat platinum with a solitaire setting, while the other rings are an Irish friendship band with a Celtic knot and a silver ring with Indian etchings.

"They have great sentimental value," she said. "And I just want these robbers caught so they don't do this to someone else."

* If anyone witnessed the robbery or has any information about the suspects or the motor cycle/moped used, they should contact Detective Constable Wesley Hawkins from the Robbery Squad based at Hammersmith Police Station on 0208 246 2634 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.