Police are appealing for help from the public in tracing a thief who struck in a Witham charity shop.

At about noon on Thursday, a woman shopping in the Oxfam shop in Newland Street, Witham, was approached by a woman who asked for assistance in reading a label.

When the victim went to the till to pay a few moments later she realised her purse was missing.

The woman who had asked for assistance was seen leaving the store at speed.

She is described as being of Mid-East appearance, about 5ft 8ins tall, well built, in her late 40s, with a swarthy complexion and short dark hair, wearing a dark top and trousers.

Published Monday, October 4, 2004

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