£1,000 spent on woman’s debit card after handbag stolen at Tesco in Bishop’s Stortford

A shopper at a Bishop’s Stortford supermarket believes she was deliberately distracted while her handbag was stolen.

After the theft in the Tesco car park at Lancaster Way, Bishop’s Park, transactions totalling £1,000 were made with her bank debit card.

The incident happened at around 10.55am on Friday November 1. The woman placed her shopping and handbag in the boot of her car and returned her trolley.

When she got into her car, a man knocked on the window and told her she had left some shopping in the trolley.

She went with him to check and, when she was shown a trolley with items in it, she told him they were not hers.

The woman suggested he take them into the store in case the rightful owner claimed them.

She returned to her car and drove home, where she realised that her handbag had been removed from the boot.

It is believed a second person took it while she was distracted.

The man is described as in his 30s, around 5ft 10in, with olive skin and short, dark hair.

He was “well dressed” in a dark rain jacket, white shirt, dark tie and large-rimmed glasses with dark frames.

Sgt Andy Crow said: “Enquiries are continuing to trace the suspect, including a review of CCTV opportunities.

“As we head towards the festive season, supermarkets and shopping areas will be getting busier and opportunist thieves will be looking for a chance to strike while people are distracted.

“We’ll be conducting proactive patrols and doing our best to stop offences from happening.

“There are some steps that shoppers can also take to help keep their belongings more secure. Never leave bags, phones, purses or wallets unattended, even just for a few seconds.

“Be wary of anyone who approaches you in suspicious circumstances, especially around cash and card machines. If you do notice anyone acting suspiciously, please report it to shop staff and police.”