A conman stole almost £2,000 from a elderly woman after he stopped her for directions.

The offender targeted the pensioner, who is in her 70s, in Morrisons car park, off Sutton Road, Maidstone, on Saturday .

The man pulled out a map and asked his victim how to get to Maidstone Hospital.

The Asian man, who is 5ft 10in and smartly dressed in a blue and white striped shirt with a pink tie, claimed to be diabetic.

The woman asked if he needed an ambulance but the suspect said no, and walked off.

The shopper later discovered her bank card missing and more than £1,700 withdrawn.

It’s believed the man watched her use the card then followed her.

The incident comes after two women had their handbags stolen from their cars at the same supermarket in May, while they, too, were asked for directions.

Just under £700 was withdrawn from one bank and the other victim had £150 spent on her account.

It’s thought two men were working together and struck when the women were loading shopping into their vehicles.

Insp Jerry Prodger said: “The distraction technique of using a map is one we have seen before across the county.

“It is a technique that targets innocent people, and in this case the victim even asked the suspect if he needed medical care because she wanted to help.”