Thieves stole £500 from a Smethwick pensioner after taking her purse from her handbag. The victim, aged 81, had been to a bank on Bearwood Road.

She had withdrawn £500.

On leaving the Barclays branch, two young Asian or Eastern European women, thought to be in their 20s, approached the woman victim.

A suspect distracted the pensioner while her suspected accomplice stole the purse, containing the freshly withdrawn £500, from the victim’s handbag at around 11am yesterday.

Sergeant Paul Shannaghan, who is responsible for policing the Abbey area, is calling for members of the public to reveal any information they have about the robbery.

He said: “At about 11am an 81-year-old lady was a victim to a bag purse dip where she had £500 stolen. The victim had attended Barclays bank on Bearwood Road and had taken £500 from her account.

“She then walked towards Aldi where she had a conversation with two young Asian or Eastern European females in their 20s, one of which distracted the victim and the second stole her purse from her handbag.”

Sgt Shannaghan asked anyone with information to phone him on 0345 113 5000 ext 7601 6139 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.