A woman helped an an 88-year-old shopper with her trolley, sat beside her on a bench outside Oakham's Tesco store - and then stole her cash.

The callous thief preyed on her victim after standing close to the pensioner as she got cashback from the South Street store between 1.15pm and 2pm on Thursday (17 Oct).

A Leicestershire Police spokesman said the woman helped the victim with her trolley outside and sat on a bench with her.

She then stole her purse, which was abandoned nearby, and took £45 cash.

The thief is described as a white female in her late 30s, 5ft 3ins to 5ft 4ins tall with blonde hair and wearing a navy tracksuit. Police believe she frequents the Oakham area.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or can identity the female thief, should call 101 quoting crime reference 19*556176.