REDDITCH people are being warned by police to be vigilant after an elderly woman had her purse snatched in the town centre.

The woman, in her 80s, was in Alcester Street at about 11am on Saturday, April 9, when she felt someone brush past her.

She checked immediately and realised her purse, containing bankcards and a small amount of cash, was missing.

The woman had just withdrawn money from a cash-point machine but the money was not in her purse.

A police spokesman said: "We are warning people to take extra care when shopping or withdrawing money.

"We advise them to carry the minimum of cash needed and ensure their bag is held as close to them as possible and is zipped up at all times."