A woman’s handbag containing cash was stolen during a distraction burglary in Christchurch.

The incident happened at 3.30pm on Saturday, July 14.

A woman knocked on the door of the property in Roeshot Crescent and asked for directions to a bed and breakfast.

She then asked the resident for some paper and pen before the victim returned with the items. The victim then noticed her bag was missing. A man had also been seen in the victim’s garden before she answered the door to the woman.

Police urged residents not to leave someone they don’t know on their doorstep in similar circumstances and to call 101.