AN 81-year-old widow believes her handbag was stolen while she was helped on to a bus by a seemingly caring young woman.

Margaret Best, known locally as Peggy, was moved to tears yesterday as she recalled the moment she realised her handbag had been taken.

Mrs Best, of Moulsecoomb Way, Brighton, was going to visit her daughter, Sandra, in Hove.

The dementia sufferer, who also has breathing problems, was struggling up the hill towards her nearest bus stop, in Moulsecoomb Way, when a young woman crossed the road to offer her some help.

Speaking to The Argus yesterday, she said: “I thought it was strange at the time – she seemed all right.

“She waved down the bus with my bag on her arm.”

The bag contained bank cards and cash belonging to Mrs Best’s daughter Sandra, 54, who lives in a care home.

Mrs Best added: “It was awful. I wouldn’t let anyone have that bag again now. I would sooner walk up there myself.

“I’ll keep my bag on my shoulder in future.”

Mrs Best also has two sons: Gary, 45, who lives in Brighton, and Stephen, 59, who lives in Hastings.

Her husband, also called Stephen, passed away 15 years ago from cancer, aged 68. The 81-year-old still visits his grave in Woodingdean.

Married in 1954, she worked at Ovingdean Hall School For Deaf Children for 30 years and, after retiring, became well known in the Moulsecoomb area of Brighton.

She told The Argus how she had lived in the area all her life but had never been a victim of crime.

After the suspected bag snatch, that took place at midday on December 2 but which has only just been publicised by police, the thief took £600 out of her daughter’s account.

Her family has only recently managed to get the money refunded by the bank.

She said: “Sometimes I see people getting their purse out of their bag in the street and I tell them, ‘you want to put that back in case someone comes past and snatches it’.

“If it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.”

Sussex Police are trying to trace a woman captured on CCTV, so they can talk to her, after they released the image yesterday.

PC James Huntley said: “If you know who she is, or if you have any other information, please contact us.”

Email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 639 of 2/12.

You can also call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.