A woman's purse has allegedly been stolen during a reported distraction theft in Hitchin.

At around 11.15am on Monday, March 20, the suspect approached a woman outside Waitrose on Bedford Road.

The suspect reportedly told the woman that she had a scratch on her car.

As she returned to her vehicle to look, she noticed that her purse had been taken.

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Following the incident, a large amount of cash was withdrawn and spent.

The woman's bank card was also used in Sainsbury's on Whinbush Road.

Hertfordshire police had released CCTV images of a man that they would like to speak to.

This man has since been identified.

PCSO Cynthia Combe said at the time: "Our enquiries are continuing, and we are releasing these images because we believe the individual pictured may have been in the area at the time and could assist with our investigation.

                                                                                                

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“Is this you, or do you recognise the person?

"Please get in touch via email at cynthia.combe@herts.police.uk.”

Information can also be reported online at herts.police.uk/report or by calling the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/22945/23.

Anonymous information can be given by contacting the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.