An 85-year-old woman had her handbag stolen while shopping in Sainsbury’s on Saturday morning. (July 19)

The pensioner was shopping in the tea aisle at the Aylesford supermarket, in the Quarry Wood Industrial Estate off Mills Road, between 10am and 11.30am.

While browsing items an Irish lady, believed to be in her late 30s to early 40s, asked her for some advice on camomile tea.

The elderly lady happily gave her some help and suggested using a double dose with a drop of honey to help with sleep.

At some point during this interaction the victim’s beige handbag was stolen.

It contained a purse with about £15 cash, an address book, a mobile phone and a diary with a number of sentimental items inside.

These included a photo her and her now deceased husband of 64 years and a ten-year-old newspaper cutting from The Sentinel, a newspaper covering North Staffordshire and South Cheshire.

Thankfully keys to her car and house were in her pocket and not taken.

The female suspect is described as being not much taller than 5ft with short brown hair.
She was of average build and wearing a patterned dress.

Anyone with any information should contact Kent Police on 101 quoting crime reference 77/14355/14.