A WOMAN in her 80s had two purses stolen from her handbag after a distraction theft in a supermarket car park.

The incident happened outside the Ferndown branch of Tesco at around 4pm on Wednesday, September 28.

The woman was loading shopping into her car when a man approached her and said she had left something in her trolley.

She went to check her trolley but could not see any items left behind and when she returned to her car, she found two of her purses were missing from her handbag.

The purses contained around £10 in cash as well as the victim’s bank card.

The card was used to carry out a transaction at a nearby store for more than £90 and a further transaction of more than £500 was attempted.

Now, police have released a CCTV image of a person they would like to trace in connection with the incident.

Credit Dorset Police

Police Community Support Investigator Kate Hann, of Dorset Police, said: “We are continuing to carry out enquiries into this incident and we have obtained a CCTV image of a man we would like to identify.

“I would urge anyone who recognises him to please make contact with us.

“We are also investigating a similar incident that occurred on Wednesday, October 12, at the same store involving a woman who was approached while she was doing her shopping and I would like to take this opportunity to urge people to remain vigilant.

“Always keep your bag or purse close to you when you are shopping and ensure your PIN is not visible to anyone else when you are paying for items.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55220158361.

Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.