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Police in Telford are appealing for help from the public as they attempt to identify a potentially vital witness to a purse theft in Telford town centre earlier this year. The incident took place in the Asda supermarket on The Border, Telford Centre, on Monday 18th January.

At around 1.50pm, the victim – a 58-year-old lady – was making her way down an aisle when she put her plastic shopping bag down to look at some items on a display. When she finished looking she moved on without picking up the bag.

A little while later the lady realised her mistake and returned to pick up her bag from where she had left it. On collecting her bag she noticed that her purse – which contained personal documents and around £50 - was missing from inside and immediately reported it to the store and then the police.

Mr Bill Norton, from the Public Service Desk at Malinsgate Police Station, said: “After she reported this incident to the police, officers checked the store’s CCTV cameras and this showed a man approaching the lady’s shopping bag, looking inside and then taking the purse. He then put the bag down, put the purse in his pocket and left the scene.

“Having carried out various enquiries I am now extremely keen to trace the man pictured on the CCTV image we have released as he appears to be in the relevant aisle at the time this theft occurred and may be able to help us identify who was responsible for it.

“The man is described as being white, around 5ft 9inches tall, aged in his 50s or early 60s and as being ‘overweight’. He is also described as wearing glasses, a white baseball cap and a black jacket.

“Anyone with information about this incident, or believes they may recognise the potential witness captured on the CCTV, is asked to contact the police on 0300 333 3000.

“Alternatively, please remember that Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have information you’d like to pass on without identifying yourself.”