A MANHUNT has been launched after an elderly woman had her handbag stolen.

The bag was stolen during an incident along Stewart Road, Bournemouth.

It contained a black iPhone and a bank card, which was later used to make fraudulent transactions in the Londis store on Stewart Road and the Premier Store on Bennett Road.

Officers have now released CCTV images of a man they want to identify.

Police sergeant Hayley Lyne, of Bournemouth police, said: “This incident has caused a great deal of distress to the victim and an investigation is underway to try and recover their property.

“As part of my enquiries, I have obtained CCTV images of a man believed to be using the stolen bank card and I would ask anyone with information about his identity to please come forward.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 55230169035.

Alternatively, they should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.