AN elderly woman doing her supermarket shopping was targeted by a thief who took her bag and all its contents.

The victim was shopping in Morrison’s on Castlegate in Malton when the thief struck last Wednesday, between 11am and 11.45am.

The thief stole a brown hessian shopping bag containing a brown leather handbag, a purse, money and a pair of glasses. The bag was removed from the hook under the trolley’s handlebar.

PC Melony Pitchford said: “If you witnessed the theft or can help to identify the person responsible I ask you to contact the police straight away. Can I also remind people to make sure that they keep an eye on their bags when out shopping. People only need to be distracted for a moment.”