REDDITCH police are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a handbag was stolen from a woman, who had just seen the thief driving into another car on a Redditch store's car park.

The victim, in her 60s, was shopping at Sainsbury's on the Abbey Trading Park at around 12.30pm on September 7, when it happened.

She had just left the store and put her shopping in the boot of her car.

While returning her trolley to the bay she saw a small maroon or red car, possibly a Ford Fiesta, reverse and hit a silver coloured car. She walked back to her own vehicle and placed her brown leather handbag on the passenger seat.

It contained a small beige purse, about £10 cash, bank cards, mobile phone and various personal items.

The man she had seen driving the red/maroon car suddenly opened her passenger door and stole her handbag before leaving the scene.

The offender is described as of Asian or Eastern European appearance, about 25-years-old, around 5ft 6ins, thin and wearing black clothing.

PC Richard Field said: "At that time of day the store was busy and we understand other people were around in the area of the car park where this offence took place.

"This was a particularly frightening experience for the victim who was alone at the time. Crimes of this nature are rare and as such we take them very seriously.

"I urge anyone who may have been witnessed this incident to come forward as even the smallest detail could be vital to our investigation.

"When we arrived at Sainsbury's a short time later, the silver vehicle which had been struck by the car had left and to date no-one has reported the collision or any damage to their vehicle.

"I would appeal to the driver or owner of that car to come forward as you may hold an important piece of information."

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Field at Redditch Police Station on 0300 333 3000, quoting the reference 271-S-070911 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.