A woman in her 70s has become the victim of an alleged distraction theft in a Sainsbury's car park.

The incident took place at around 10.40am on Thursday, December 15, outside a store in London Road.

READ MORE

At that time, the victim had finished her shopping and was returning to her car, when a man shouted to say that she had left something in her trolley.

After walking back, she found that it was not her shopping in the trolley.

Later, when filling up with petrol, the woman realised that her purse was missing.

The alleged offender has been described as a white man, around 5ft 11ins tall, with a dark hat.

He is also described as speaking with a European accent.

PCSO Nigel Haggar said: "We urge people to be on their guard and take extra care of their wallets and purses when they are out shopping.

"Unfortunately, these kinds of thefts often take place in car parks, as shoppers are easy to distract, and the fake scenarios used are easily believable.

“If anyone thinks they may have been approached in a similar way or has any information with could help our investigation, please contact us.”

PCSO Haggar can be contacted at Nigel.Haggar@herts.police.uk

Information can also be reported online at herts.police.uk/report or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 41/101394/22.

Anonymous information can be given to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.