CCTV issued of distraction thief

Buy photos » Police want to speak to this woman in connection with the distraction theft. s

POLICE in Redditch want to speak to this woman in connection with a distraction theft in which £3,000 was stolen.

The incident happened between 11am and 11.45am on January 16 at the Tesco supermarket, Coldfield Drive, while the victim, who is in her 50s, was putting her shopping in her car.

She was approached by a woman who, holding a map, asked her for directions.

While she was distracted, her purse, containing two bank cards, was stolen from her handbag, which was on the passenger seat.

She later discovered £3,000 had been taken out of her account through several transactions and cash machine withdrawals in the borough.

Officers probing the theft think the woman was targeted in the store and followed to the till, where it is believed the raiders watched her putting in her PIN number.

The woman who approached the victim was around 25, of small to medium build, with black bobbed hair.

She was wearing a hat and beige coat, was of smart appearance and spoke with an Eastern European accent.

Anyone who recognises the picture or anyone with any information should call PC Vikki Loftus on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.