A WOMAN had her handbag stolen as she completed a jigsaw puzzle at a library in Christchurch.

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to following the theft.

The incident happened at Christchurch Library on High Street at around 4.25pm on Thursday, June 21.

The victim, a local woman aged in her 70s, noticed her bag was missing from her chair and immediately informed library staff and called the police.

She contacted her banks to cancel her cards.

Two of the cards were used at the BP service station and Lidl on Somerford Road.

The stolen bag is described as a brown leather Radley bag and contained bank cards, keys, a mobile phone, glasses and cash.

Police Constable Matt Leeding, of Christchurch police, said: “I am also keen to locate the stolen handbag and would urge anyone who finds it to please not touch it but call us.

“I would like to remind people to ensure they keep their bags and possessions close to them to avoid becoming a victim of opportunist crime.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180096092.