Distraction thieves stole an elderly woman's handbag in a charity shop.

The woman, who is in her 80s, was browsing in the RSPCA Charity shop in the Parade, Watford, in late July.

Her handbag was kept inside her walking aid, and one individual distracted her while the other took the bag.

PC Mark Emerson, from the Watford central safer neighbourhood team, said: “The victim has been left understandably distressed by what has happened to her and she is now being supported by close family and our officers."

The police have now released stills taken from the shop's CCTV. PC Emerson said: “We are very keen to identify the two people pictured, a man and a woman. The woman appears to be heavily pregnant, which may jog someone’s memory.

"The footage released is not of the highest quality, however to ensure we are giving the victim the best possible service we have a duty to follow every line of enquiry.”

"If you know who the people pictured are, then please make contact with us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should call the non-emergency number 101, report it online at www.herts.police.uk/report, or speak to an operator in Hertfordshire Constabulary's force communications room quoting reference 41/67117/19.