Police are asking thieves to return an elderly woman’s handbag stolen from her car in Hersham.

The theft occurred at 3pm on Tuesday, April 15, outside All Saints Church in Queen’s Road, when the elderly lady was approached by a woman as she got into her car.

The woman asked her a question before stealing the handbag from the car seat.

The handbag, which contained cash, credit cards and a mobile phone, is leather with a black crocodile pattern.

The woman ran off with a man down Primrose Road.

The thief was white, 5ft 6in, in her late 20s, pale, with crooked front teeth, very thin and with long dark tied back hair.

She was wearing a yellow sleeveless vest top with straps and greyish to washed-out jeans.

The man was white, pale, in his mid 20s, about 5ft 7in, clean shaven, very thin, with dark eyes and short mousey brown hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt with a collar and short sleeves and dark trousers.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jamie Spooner said: “This was a cruel and cowardly opportunist theft of a handbag from a helpful and trusting elderly woman.

“Although the victim was not hurt in the incident she has been badly shaken and distressed by the ordeal.”

Police are urging anyone with information to contact them anonymously on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.