A CCTV appeal has been launched to find two women who stole £400 from an elderly lady in Watford.

The victim, who is in her 80s, was followed for at least 15 minutes after withdrawing the money from an ATM in High Street on Wednesday February 27 between 2pm and 2.40pm.

During the ordeal the woman walked into Poundland and was bumped into several times by the alleged offenders and was followed onto the 230 bus.

Whilst on the bus one of the women caused a disturbance which distracted the victim, meanwhile the other is believed to have cut her bag and taken her purse.

The victim, who is from Croxley Green, spoke to the Watford Observer earlier this month. She said: "Wherever I went they were there. I kept trying to get away from them but I couldn’t.

"I went into Poundland while I was waiting for the bus and one of them followed me round the whole shop as close as if she was a little kid holding onto my skirt.

"As I was waiting for the bus they jumped the queue and one of them got in front of me and another behind me.

"They were asking to go to a place that the bus didn’t even go.

"At first I couldn’t understand how they got their hands in my bag, it has got a big slit down it and I am grateful they didn’t razor me."

Now police are ramping up their efforts to catch the culprits and have released this image.

PC Chris Phillips, who is investigating, said: "It is important the offenders of this crime are arrested.

"They have targeted an elderly, vulnerable woman and must dealt with.

"It could be that the suspects have travelled from London to the area and I would appeal to people not only in Watford but north London to look at these images and contact me if they can assist my investigation."

Anyone who recognises should contact PC Chris Phillips via the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference number C1/13/1023. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.