A PENSIONER had £4,000 stolen from her card after her bag was snatched in daylight.

Police have released CCTV images as part of their investigation and say the people in the pictures may hold vital information in relation to the theft.

The 78-year-old victim was approached by a tall youth outside her home in Franklyn Avenue, Eastleigh, after he asked for a cigarette lighter.

She put her handbag on the floor to look for a lighter and another boy ran into the garden and grabbed the bag before both youths ran off in the direction of Pembroke Road, Eastleigh.

PC Hayley Goodsell said: “This is an awful incident to have occurred to a vulnerable elderly lady and police are appealing to anyone who may know the persons seen in the CCTV stills as they could hold vital information.”

The images are taken from JD Sports in Eastleigh and John Anthony, JD Sports, Superdrug and River Island in Southampton, with a total of £4,000 being spent on the stolen card in these shops.

The incident happened at about 2.30pm on October 30 and the teenage boy who approached the woman initially is described as being tall, of a medium build, and aged between 16 and 17 years old with dark hair.

The second teenage boy is said to be shorter than the first male, of slim build, and slightly younger.

Anyone who has information on the incident or recognises the people in the photographs is asked to contact PC Goodsell on 101 quoting 44150377600 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.