POLICE have released footage of three people they want to trace after two elderly women had their purses stolen in a Droitwich supermarket car park.

The incident occurred at approximately 2.30pm on Thursday, April 24 in the car park of Aldi in Roman Way Retail Park.

The two victims, a 91-year-old woman who is partially sighted, and her friend, an 84-year-old woman, were approached by a man and a woman at the supermarket who they didn’t know, but assisted them with their bags in the shop.

They then went out into the car park with their shopping, where they were met by the same man and woman, as well as another man, who all insisted on helping them get their shopping into the car.

Pc Duncan Jones of West Mercia Police, said: “The three people were moving the items of shopping around and putting them into and taking them out of carrier bags, confusing the two elderly women. The female offender in particular was described as very persistent.

“The elderly women thanked them for their help and it was only after returning the trolley to the store that they realised their purses had been stolen, by which time there was no sign of the offenders.

“The purse of the 91-year-old contained £158 and the purse of the 84-year-old contained £90, and both have been extremely distressed by the incident.”

All three of the suspects are described as white but slightly dark skinned and they were speaking poor English. They are believed to be eastern Europeans.

The first man is described as nearly 6ft tall, with dark short hair. He was wearing a black leather-look jacket and lighter coloured trousers. The second man was wearing dark clothing.

The woman had dark hair worn up in a bun and she was wearing black trousers and a black top covered by a lighter coloured anorak and silky scarf.

Anyone who recognises the people in the images, or who may have seen them in the area, or anyone with any information about purse thefts in Droitwich, should contact Pc Jones at West Mercia Police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting incident 322-s-240414, or alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.