A GRIEVING woman had her handbag stolen from her car as she was attending a funeral at Redditch Crematorium on Friday.

The callous theft has led to Redditch Council chiefs pledging to do whatever it takes to make the crematorium secure, which if necessary, could include the installation CCTV cameras.

A man was seen breaking one of the windows of a car parked at the Bordesley Lane crematorium shortly before 1.30pm on Friday.

The thief was then chased by a member of the public but managed to escape.

The thief was white and was wearing white trousers a white top and a white baseball cap.

It is not the first time thieves have targeted the crematorium. The Advertiser reported two bags had been snatched from cars last August.

Redditch Council's crematorium manager and registrar Stuart Connelly said there was a security officer who patrolled the site.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Carpenter on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.