POLICE are investigating theft of bank card stolen from handbag of 80-year-old woman in Southend.

An 80-year-old woman had arrived home in Glynde Way, Southend, at 12.40pm on April 15 and was unloading shopping from her car when a man and a woman approached her and asked for directions to Southend Central train station.

The victim had previously seen the man standing behind her in the queue as she paid for items in Waitrose, Southend, shortly after 12.05pm that day.

He was described as white, aged in his 20s with very short hair and wore a light coloured jacket or long sleeved shirt.

After she gave them directions and they left, she discovered her bank card had been stolen from her handbag, which was on the car seat.

It was later used to withdraw a four figure sum of money.

Police are appealing for information to identify the woman pictured.

Officers have been carrying out enquiries and are now in a position to release a CCTV image of a woman they want to speak to.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Chris Daves at Southend police station on 101.