Girl gang stole purse from disabled victim in Bournemouth charity shop (From Bournemouth Echo)

Girl gang stole purse from disabled victim in Bournemouth charity shop

7:00pm Wednesday 25th November 2009

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A DISABLED Bournemouth woman has hit out at the hard-hearted thieves who targeted her in a charity shop.

The 67-year-old, who does not want to be identified, told the Daily Echo how her purse had been stolen from her handbag while she was searching for bargains in the Westbourne premises.

She said: “I didn’t realise my purse had been taken until I went into another charity shop and tried to pay for a pair of trousers.

“My friend remarked that there had been three women standing very close to us in the first shop; we believe they took the purse while we were distracted.”

By the time the victim, who lives in a sheltered accommodation block in Westbourne, contacted her bank £300 had been taken from her account.

She said: “It was only about half an hour later but they had already used my card to take the money out. I couldn’t believe that someone could be so callous.

“My purse contained about £24, my bus pass and a book containing my home address. It was bad enough losing that but to lose another £300 was really upsetting.”

The victim, who walks with a stick, said: “I still can’t believe how cowardly some people can be; I’ve reported the theft to the police but they don’t hold out much hope.

“I want to warn other people to keep an eye on their possessions, particularly in charity shops as I think this was an organised gang.”

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