AN ELDERLY woman was targeted while tending a child’s grave by thieves who took her bag and bank cards.

Rosemary Deakin, 82, from Southend, was also targeted twice by thieves at Waitrose car park, Fossetts Way, Southend - during one incident the crooks stole £4,000 from the woman’s bank account.

The graveyard incident happened at Holy Cross Church, Southend, when she was tending to a plot for a friend whose son died before his third birthday.

She said: “My handbag was behind me and a boy walked up behind me and took it and went on to spend about £30.

“When I saw the bag had gone I just panicked really.

“During the first incident in the Waitrose car park, I had been shopping and two people came up to me in my car and asked me for directions.

“I think they said they wanted to go to Chelmsford.

“I told them I wasn’t too sure but said go to the A127 and follow signs from there.

“One of them then got out a map and the other then reached and stole my purse.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out that £4,000 had been taken from my account.”

During the second car park incident two men followed her and stole the purse, with the card in it, while she was packing her shopping into her car.

She said: “After the third time, I have had trouble sleeping and am very upset about all this. I feel like I have a tattoo on my forehead that says come and get me again.

“I am usually careful so don’t understand what’s happening but can’t help feeling that it’s something to do with me. I am concerned about going out and my family are very worried. I will be more vigilant in the future and make sure I keep an eye out for who is around me and won’t trust many people any more.”

A Waitrose spokesman said: “Our shop’s partners helped Rosemary when this happened and we have CCTV of the incident. We really hope Rosemary recovers her belongings.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “These are despicable thefts and we’re asking for the Southend community to help catch those responsible.”

The latest incidents took place at 12pm on Tuesday at Waitrose, in Eastern Avenue, and on September 6 at Holy Trinity Church, in Southchurch Boulevard.

Police have released a CCTV image of a mab officers want to speak to this man in connection with the incident on Tuesday.