Elderly Ludlow shopper targeted by distraction thieves
Police are warning shoppers to make sure their purses and wallets are kept hidden and secure after an 85-year-old woman was targeted in Ludlow.
Her purse was stolen from her shopping trolley while walking home after visiting a charity shop in the town centre on Tuesday.
It’s thought the purse, containing several hundred pounds, was taken after a man approached her asking for directions to the hospital. He was accompanied by another man.
The victim had placed her purse in a side compartment on her shopping trolley but may have forgotten to do up the zip. She walked past King Street onto Church Street and into Quality Square before being approached by the man at around 11.40am.
On reaching home, she found her purse missing.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said today: “It seems this was a distraction theft whereby the stranger approached the victim and either he or his colleague stole the purse while keeping her engaged in conversation.
“Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Ludlow police station on 101. We are also reminding people to be on their guard against this kind of offence and to make sure they safely secure their purses, wallets and handbags while out shopping.”
The man is described as dark skinned, aged about 50, with dark hair and wearing a colourful short sleeved shirt.
The purse was blue with red flower markings and also contained a number of bank cards.
