A WOMAN befriended an elderly victim before stealing her handbag from her home.

The 93-year-old answered the door to a woman clutching a newspaper who claimed she had won a couple for being a loyal customer.

The woman chatted with the victim for five minutes in her home sometime between 8am and 9am on January 26, in The Bourne, Hastings.

After the woman left the woman realised her handbag had been stolen.

The thief is described as white, in her late 20s to early 30s, with brunette, approximately shoulder length hair, and was well spoken.

Detective Sergeant Jason Tuck of the Hastings Priority Crime Team said: "The lady's handbag was found later that afternoon discarded in public toilets in Hastings town centre. The lady acted quickly and cancelled her bank cards as a precaution against further crimes being committed.

"The woman who deceived her may try this tactic again, so please be aware of anyone who calls at your door unexpectedly. If you have any information as to who this woman is please call 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn,.police.uk, quoting 341 of 26/01.”