AN 86-year-old woman had her purse stolen while she was shopping at a Kent supermarket.

The incident happened on Saturday between 10.30am and noon. The victim discovered the purse was missing from her shopping bag when she was at the checkout at Sainsbury’s in Otford Road at Sevenoaks. Only a small amount of cash was in the purse.

Sgt Michael Perryman, of the crime reduction dept, said: "This theft was very distressing for the victim. Our advice is keep your shopping bag secured and in sight at all times.

"Don’t leave it in the shopping trolley because when you turn to select goods from the shelf you can’t watch your bag."