Dorset Police have released images of two men they would like to speak to after a purse was stolen from an elderly woman in Dorchester.

Officers investigating a purse theft at a Dorchester supermarket have issued CCTV images of two men they would like to identify.

At around 1pm on Monday, December 10, a woman aged in her 80s had her purse stolen from her handbag while she was shopping at Waitrose in the Tudor Arcade.

Her card was then used to make withdrawals totalling £1,600 from banks in the town centre.

CCTV footage from the store was obtained and showed a man - who was wearing a zipped up black puffa-style jacket, dark-coloured stripy scarf and jeans - appear to take the woman’s purse.

The suspect was with a second man, who was wearing an unzipped dark-coloured coat, black scarf with a grey patch on it and jeans.

Police Community Support Investigator Alice Butler, of Dorset Police, said: “We have obtained CCTV footage of these two men and we have carried out enquiries in a bid to identify them.

“These have so far been unsuccessful and I am therefore appealing to members of the public for anyone with information as to their identity to contact us.

“It is believed a man may have obtained the victim’s PIN by observing her carrying out transactions at other locations in the town and I am appealing for anyone with further information to come forward.”

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 55180198008.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.