A THIEF targeted a 71-year-old woman and her disabled daughter in a theft that police have described as “an appalling crime”.

The pair were visiting Whitby from Nottinghamshire when the pensioner’s bag was stolen from a bench on Langbourne Road between12.40pm and 1pm on Sunday.

PC Tracy Rogers said the pensioner had been deeply shocked by the incident.

She said: “She had saved up her pension for some time to take her daughter on a trip to Whitby and had not long got off the coach when her bag was stolen.

“The loss of the cash and the additional costs she has incurred because of the theft of the keys and bank cards, has caused her much concern.”

She added: “I am appealing to members of the public who may have been in the Langbourne Road area and witnessed the theft, and to anyone who knows anything about it, to contact the police without delay.”

The PVC bag was black and rectangular with three compartments and a silver zip. It contained cash, bank cards, house and car keys and a mobile phone.

Call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for PC Tracy Rogers or email tracy.rogers@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

To remain anonymous, pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.