POLICE are searching for a thief after a 79-year-old woman reported her handbag being stolen as she walked down a secluded alleyway.

The elderly woman was approached from behind by a man at around 7.10pm on Sunday, March 19, in an alley eading to Lime Road and Park Lane from Venables Road, in Guisborough, east Cleveland.

A small black handbag and its contents were reported stolen following the incident and Cleveland Police have since issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward with information.

The suspect is described as wearing a black Puffa-style jacket and black trousers.

The 79-year-old woman was uninjured during the incident.

  • Anyone with information on the incident can contact DC Nicky Moore, of Redcar and Cleveland Volume Crime Team, via non-emergency number 101.