A SHOCKED church-goer was targeted by a cruel thief who swiped her handbag as she prayed in a Bournemouth church.

Vicky Leppington has spoken of her disgust after being targeted as she attended a Sunday night service at St Swithun's Church.

She lost cash, cards, keys, a bible, a mobile phone and other personal items in the theft.

But she said the shock of having them taken during a church service has made the situation even worse.

Vicky, 51, from Canford Heath in Poole, was on her own at the busy Sunday evening service on February 11 at the Gervis Road church when the thief struck.

She told the Daily Echo: "I was sitting at the side of the church in a place furthest away from the door. I put my handbag on the seat next to me, with my coat on top of it.

"A man sat at the seat on the other side of my coat. He had his head down as if he was in prayer.

"I too leaned forward and closed my eyes to pray. When I opened my eyes the man had gone and so had my handbag."

Mrs Leppington is one of hundreds of people who regularly attend the church service.

She added: "There is a big congregation and I have always felt very safe there. Church is the one place where I would have considered myself to be safe."

She said the theft of her phone also meant her 18-year-old daughter, who is at university, was unable to contact her to let her know she was ill.

"My daughter was poorly and it made the situation far more distressing that she was unable to contact me" she added.

The theft has been reported to police and anyone with information is asked to get in touch with officers by calling 101 or calling the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

The bag is black with red flowers on the front and is from the Marks and Spencer Per Una range. It has a small handle and a metal clasp.

Among the items stolen were two purses containing cash, bank cards, store cards and vouchers. The bag also contained an iPhone and car keys.

Mrs Leppington added: "Other people at the church said the man stayed for only about five minutes. It is very sad when something like this happens because it is such a successful church and enjoyed by so many people."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 8.06pm on Sunday February 11 to reports of the theft of a handbag from St Swithuns Church in Gervis Road, Bournemouth. The bag was stolen while the owner was attending a service at the church. Investigations are under way."