TWO thieves distracted an elderly woman as they took her purse.

The theft happened around midday on Tuesday at a bus stop in London Road, Brighton.

One man distracted the woman, who is in her 70s, while the other took the purse from inside her handbag, then the pair ran away.

The man who had distracted the victim later returned the purse to her.

But, she discovered cash and bank cards were missing.

Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses.

One suspect was white, in his late teens, around 5ft 8in and had light brown hair.

The second suspect could not be described.

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information regarding this matter to email or call 101 quoting 557 of 04/12.