A CROCODILE skin-style purse was stolen from a woman in a store in Kidderminster.

The purse, containing £20 and several credit cards, was taken in Iceland in Bridge Street.

The offender was believed to be a white woman, in her early 20s, with dark hair, wearing a black jacket and pushing a child in a pushchair. The theft happened just after 2pm on Tuesday last week.

A police spokesman said: "The run-up to Christmas, when stores become crowded and shoppers are likely to be carrying more cash than usual can be a prime time for purse thieves but there are measures shoppers can take to protect their property."

Among police tips for shoppers are to be careful if someone tries to distract them, engage them in conversation or brushes against them.