Handbag theft warning to shoppers

2:22pm Wednesday 28th March 2007

SHOPPERS should be on their guard after two bags were stolen from Redditch supermarket car parks.

The first incident happened at about 6.30pm on Saturday, March 24 at Morrisons off the Warwick Highway.

A woman had finished her shopping, unloaded it into her car and returned her trolley when a man opened the passenger door and stole her bag from the front seat. He left the car park in a small, grey car.

He is described as Asian, in his early 20s and wearing a duffle-type coat.

The woman's black handbag contained a purse, cash and assorted bank cards.

In the second incident, which happened at about 8.45pm on Monday, March 26, a man leant into a woman's car on the car park of Tesco in Coldfield Drive and grabbed her handbag from the passenger seat.

The thief, a male in his late teens or early 20s and wearing a baseball cap, drove off in small, dark blue car towards Oakenshaw.

The woman's bag was found the next day in Mercot Close, Oakenshaw.

A police spokesman said: "We're appealing to anyone who witnessed either incident or noticed suspicious activity at these supermarket car parks to pass on the information as soon as possible.

"We want to make shoppers aware these incidents have happened so they're extra vigilant.

"Be aware of who is around you on the car park and close windows and lock your car every time you leave it, even if it's only for a few seconds. Keep your handbag and other valuables with you or out of sight at all times."

Anyone with information can call Redditch police on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.