Police are hunting a thief who snatched a purse off a recently-bereaved woman, which contained a lock of her mother’s hair

Officers are appealing for witnesses after a recently-bereaved Swindon woman had her purse stolen, which contained a lock of her mother’s hair.

It happened on Saturday (25/01) between 11.10am and 11.30am when the woman, who is in her 40s, was shopping in Swindon town centre.

Her cream-coloured Radley purse was stolen from her handbag, possibly while we she was shopping in either Shoezone or Peacocks.

PC Jamie Brown, from Swindon Community Policing Team, said: “This theft has had a huge impact on the victim, largely because she has recently lost her mother and a lock of her mother’s hair was inside the purse.

“The purse also had bank cards in, which the thief has used to withdraw money.

“We know it would have been busy in Swindon town centre on Saturday and we are carrying out detailed enquiries, but we are issuing this appeal in the hope that someone will know something which could assist our enquiries.

“Perhaps the purse has been dumped somewhere after the thief took the bank cards and the money out of it?

“If you can help in any way then please call us.”

Anyone with information should call PC Brown on 101, quoting crime reference 54200008676. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.