POLICE are hunting a thief who snatched a bag from an elderly woman in Rubery on Monday.

The incident happened at around 10.20am, when the 78-year-old woman was walking along the High Street near the car park at Rubery Social Club.

A man approached her and grabbed her bag. He then ran off to his car, which was parked in the club car park and drove off towards Callowbrook Lane.

The bag is brown with tan leather patchwork. It has a zip top and a flap at the front. It contained a small purse and a cheque book.

The offender is described as white, 40-50-years-old with a slim build. He was wearing a blue boiler suit.

DC Peter Wheeler, from Bromsgrove police, said: "The offender is believed to have been sitting on a nearby wall prior to the incident, possibly with a female, and we are appealing to anyone who noticed these two beforehand or who witnessed the incident itself to get in touch.

"The car, a grey Citroen AX, was later found abandoned in the Kwik Save car park further down the road and again we would like to speak to anyone who saw it being left there."

Anyone with information can contact police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.