AN elderly woman has had her purse snatched from her handbag while waiting for the bus.

The 74-year-old was stood at the bus stop outside the Spar shop in South Moor, Stanley, at 11.40am on Friday when a man took her purse from the top of her handbag.

The victim and members of the public tried to chase the suspect, but he was able to escape with the purse, which contained cash and bank cards.

He ran off towards William Street and is described as being white, late teens, around 5ft 10in tall and of thin build. He was wearing light blue jeans and a beanie hat with stripes on.

PC Hanna Liddle, from Stanley response team, said: “This incident has left the victim shaken and upset as it happened in broad daylight, in the village she has lived in for many years.

“To steal from an elderly woman is such a heartless and callous thing to do, but I would like to reassure people that incidents like this are rare.

"We are carrying out an investigation in the incident and would like the public’s help in identifying the person responsible.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who knows who the suspect may be, is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 143 of February 8.

Alternatively, information can be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.