A PENSIONER’S handbag has been snatched from her in the street in Kidderminster.

The incident happened yesterday when a woman in her 70s was walking along Cobden Street at about 10.45am. Her brown leather bag was grabbed by a man who then ran down the street in the direction of Bewdley Road.

The thief was a white man in his late teens or early 20s who was about 5ft 5ins in height and wearing a black bobble hat, black jacket and blue jeans. He had the hat pulled down over his ears and covering most of his face.

The bag contained cash, keys, a Nokia mobile phone, bank cards and other personal items.

PC Lee Wycherley said: “Although she wasn’t hurt the woman was really shaken by this. When it happened she was on her way into town to buy flowers for a 90th birthday so this really is a despicable offence.

“As it happened at a busy spot and in broad daylight hopefully someone saw the thief either hanging around there beforehand or making off afterwards, in which case please tell us.

“Someone later found and handed in two of the victim’s bank cards at the minor injuries unit in Bewdley Road but did not leave their details.

“We are keen to speak to that person because finding out where the cards were found could help us trace other items that were stolen.”

Anyone with information should call PC Wycherley at Kidderminster Police Station on 101, quoting the incident reference 177-S-191112, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.