Police in Derry have warned members of the public to be “mindful” of their possessions whilst out and about.
The warning comes after a 66-year-old woman had her purse stolen during a so-called “distraction robbery” in a city centre shop late yesterday afternoon.
The theft occurred in a store in Waterloo Place at around 5.00pm when a man stole the woman’s purse from her bag while she was distracted by a female while purchasing birthday cards.
It was not until the woman went to pay at the till that she realised her purse was missing.
CCTV footage showed the man taking the purse from her handbag while she helped the woman choose greeting cards.
The purse contained a number of personal items such as memorial cards and holy relics as well as around £50 in cash.
Appealing for information about the theft, police in the city are encouraging people to be mindful of their possessions whilst out and about.
A PSNI spokesperson added: “Individuals may use distraction techniques, such as selling things or asking for directions to steal items of value which are on or around your person.”
The spokesperson asked anyone with information in relation to the theft of the woman’s purse to contact police on the non-emergency telephone number 101 or telephone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
