A woman in her seventies had her purse stolen from her handbag as she shopped for her great-grandson’s Christmas presents.

She was in the Cardfactory, Lockwood Walk, Romford, on December 10 when at 1pm the purse containing £240 was lifted from her bag.

The woman is so distressed she does not wish to be identified.

Her daughter Jo Curran, 50, of Bellvue Road, said: “She’s really upset, she couldn’t believe it happened. It happened so quick, she felt she had it in the shop and then she got a couple of cards and by the time she got to the till, it was gone.

“Our one hope is that it will not get her down, especially over Christmas.”

Police confirmed that there were 13 incidents of pickpocketing in the borough that week and it was the second incident in the store that day

Mrs Curran, a manager of a psychiatric team for the elderly at Goodmayes Hospital, said the effect of such an incident can be devastating for an elderly person, leading to isolation and depression.

Sgt Neal Donohoe, of Havering police, said: “When people are in crowded shops, they must take great care of their possessions.”