Handbag stolen from fruit shop

8:55am Tuesday 15th May 2007

POLICE are appealing for information after a shop worker's handbag was stolen as she served customers.

The incident happened on Sunday morning at Joan Woodhall's fruiterers in Front Street, Stanhope, before 11am.

Officers believe when she was serving, a thief went into the shop's private area and took the handbag.

The black leather handbag contained £100, credit cards and jewellery.

A further unknown sum was also taken.

A police spokesman said: "The person she served seemed to take a long time over his transaction, in what must have been a ruse to give his accomplice as much time as possible."

The man left the shop in the direction of Barclays.

He was around 6ft with grey hair and wearing a red checked shirt.

People who visited the shop at the time are asked to contact Stanhope police on 0845-6060-365.