A woman had her bag swiped while she was shopping with her baby granddaughter in Hammersmith.
Marielouise Patterson lost around £450 in cash and vouchers when the bag was taken while she shopped in Poundland, on King Street, on Monday (May 22) afternoon.
She is now urging other shoppers to be vigilant so that they do not fall victim themselves.
As well as losing money, the 73-year-old, from Shepherd’s Bush, also lost bank and utility cards and her Irish passport, which were all inside a Tesco carrier bag.
Mrs Patterson thinks the bag was taken by a young woman shortly after she walked into the store in King Street at around 3pm.
She said: “It was a hot day, and I bent down to try and get the baby a drink and put her hat one. I think that was when it was taken.
“I didn’t realise until I got to the till that the bag had gone.
“Everything had gone. My passport, utility cards, bank cards, the lot.”
To confound matters, she had just picked up two weeks’ pension, meaning she had a substantial amount of cash in the bag.
“I think there was about £450 in cash and vouchers” she said.
'I couldn’t believe it had happened to me'
The bag was under the buggy when it was stolen, and Mrs Patterson continued: “I’m usually very cautious but what with everything that was happening I was distracted.
“I couldn’t believe it had happened to me, so I want to warn people, especially older folk, to be careful and aware of what’s happening around you and where you are keeping your possessions.
“I just don’t like the idea of them getting away with it.
"It’s such easy money for them but I worked all my life.”
Police confirmed they were called to a shop on King Street on Monday afternoon. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.
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