A WOMAN in her seventies has had her handbag, purse and mobile phone stolen after being burgled.

The elderly woman was burgled at her home on Homer Grove in Hartlepool on Thursday, November 23 at around 7.45.

She answered the door to a male who distracted her and then followed her into the property where he stole the items.

The suspect is described as a white male, around 6ft tall and spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a black woollen hat, a grey jacket and dark bottoms.

Any witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Detective Constable Jeff Fleet from Hartlepool Operational Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.