AN elderly woman’s handbag was stolen from her shopping trolley earlier today in Stourport.

The incident took place at about 11.45am in the Co-Op store in Lombard Street. The victim, a woman in her 70s, had been in the store for just a few minutes when she noticed that her bag had been taken from her trolley.

The dark brown leather handbag contained a Nokia mobile phone, a small brown purse, about £85 in cash plus assorted bank cards and other items.

PC Kate Sanders, of Stourport police, said: “This type of incident causes great distress to the victim and it’s important we identify the person responsible.

“We are appealing to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the Co-Op store or anything else that might be related to the incident to give police a call as soon as possible.

“We also want to remind people not to leave their bags unattended on trolleys or pushchairs as they shop, as it really only takes a moment for a thief to grab it and disappear with it.”

Police recommend using a ‘bumbag’ style bag as an alternative to a traditional handbag and also to restrict the amount of cash you keep in your purse.

Anyone with information relating to this incident can call Stourport police on 0300 333 3000 (quoting 333-S-090410) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.