A thief snatched an 88-year-old woman's bag from her shopping trolley as she turned to talk to a shop assistant.

The woman had placed her black leather handbag in the trolley during her visit to the Asda store in North Shoebury Road, Shoebury. The thief struck when she turned to talk to one of the store's assistants.

When she looked back at her trolley her bag, containing £325 in cash, a cheque book, credit cards and make-up, had gone.

Anyone with any information about the crime should contact Southend police on 01702 431212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Friday, March 22, 2002