An 89-year-old woman screamed for help after having her bag stolen with cash she had just withdrawn.

Now detectives investigating the theft have released two images of people they believe might be able to help with their inquiries.

The elderly victim withdrew cash from the Halifax bank, in Windmill Street, at about 11am.

She then met up with her daughter and the pair walked to the Thamesgate shopping centre to catch the lift to where their car was parked.

The victim had the cash in a zipped pocket inside her handbag.

"This was a shameful act of theft against an elderly lady, who has been left extremely shaken and upset..." - DC Debbie Cummings

When she and her daughter entered the lift, a man and a woman also got in and the woman stood extremely close to the victim, making her feel uncomfortable.

As she and her daughter left the lift, the victim realised the woman had reached inside her handbag.

The victim said: "Don't you dare put your hand in my bag."

At this point, the man in the lift snatched the cash from the victim's bag.

The elderly woman screamed for help, but both ran off in different directions.

The man is described as in his late 30s, stocky, 6ft and with very dark, thick, short hair. He was clean-shaven with a round face and wore a shiny navy blue anorak.

The woman is described as having a sallow complexion and being around 30. She is said to have had a gaunt face and was around 5ft 1ins and of small build.

She had hazel or brown eyes, very dark hair pulled back from her face and wore a dark beige knee-length anorak with a fur collar.

DC Debbie Cummings said: "This was a shameful act of theft against an elderly lady, who has been left extremely shaken and upset.

"I'd like to remind members of the public to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings, particularly during the act of withdrawing money and afterwards – opportunistic criminals prey on the vulnerable and when they spot their chance, they act quickly.

"We are doing all we can to hunt down the offenders and bring them to justice, and I believe the man and woman pictured here have information that could help with our enquiries and would ask anybody who recognises them to come forward."

The theft happened on Tuesday, December 10.

Anyone with information is asked to phone DC Cummings on 07807 341076, quoting crime report XY/40128/13, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.