POLICE are trying to trace a woman after a purse was stolen from a shop checkout.

On Saturday, November 10 an elderly woman entered B and M Bargains, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, just before 1.20pm and paid at the till for her shopping before putting her purse down to open a plastic bag and put the purchases inside.

She left the shop without retrieving her purse and it was picked up by another woman who put it in a carrier bag and then left.

The victim, a local woman, returned for her purse only to find it had gone. The woman pictured is believed to have gone to the checkout after the victim and taken the purse.

Anyone with information should call Chester-le-Street police on 101.