AN elderly woman was targeted by a thief in the Droitwich branch of Waitrose.

The incident occurred on Monday, June 9, between 12.50pm and 1.30pm in the supermarket.

A man approached the 82-year-old woman as she was shopping and asked her if she would reach up to a high shelf to pass him some cranberry juice, telling her it was for his aunt, who was following a special diet.

As the woman reached up she felt a movement in her bag, and looked down to see the man’s hand reaching into it.

She grabbed his hand and shouted for help from nearby staff but he broke free and ran off.

The man is described as white, in his 20s or 30s, and approximately 5’8” (1m 70cm) tall, with a very stocky build and short fair hair which was slightly ginger. He had a ruddy complexion, and was wearing a red, blue and green shirt and jeans.

Police do not believe the incident is connected to another, which took place last month when two elderly women had their purses stolen outside Aldi in Droitwich.

Anyone with information can contact West Mercia Police on the non-emergency number 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.