Police are hunting two suspects after a woman in her eighties was targeted by thieves in Walton on Thames.

The attempted robbery took place on Wednesday (October 23) around 5.10pm at the Sainsbury's on New Zealand Avenue in Walton.

Police described how two men reportedly tried to grab the woman's purse before fleeing, harming her in the process.

"Two male suspects are believed to have attempted to steal a handbag from a woman in her 80’s, following a failed attempted to steal her purse from the bag.

"In doing so, he has caused an injury to her arm," spokesperson said.

A statement from the Elmbridge branch of Surrey Police about the incident offered a warning and advice to shoppers in the borough about staying safe during the busier winter months

"As we are quickly approaching Christmas, we are asking people to remain vigilant when out shopping: keep your bags zipped shut; don't leave them unattended on a trolley or table; and think about attaching bells or something else that makes a noise so that you can hear when someone is interfering with them," a spokesperson said.

If you were in the area when the incident took place and have any information, you can call police on 101 quoting reference PR/45190112779.