A THIEF snatched a handbag from the lap of an elderly woman sitting on a park bench in Bewdley.

The victim was in Jubilee Gardens when the incident happened, at 3pm last Friday.

A police spokesman said: "The offender ran from the gardens into Tannery Court on Lax Lane and then on to Severnside South and over the bridge.

"It is believed that a member of the public on the bridge stopped the offender, after the victim shouted. The offender did, however, manage to get away.

"The offender has been described as a white male, 15 to 16 years old, clean shaven, with a very pale face.

"He wore a white sweatshirt with a hood, a black baseball cap and black trousers.

"It is believed that a number of people may have seen this male running away from the victim and that a man even stopped him on the bridge.

"I ask anyone w ho has information about this crime to come forward," the spokesman added.

Anyone with information can contact Bewdley police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.