Woman has purse stolen in Wantage after getting money out

Marian King, 76, was in Shaw Trust in Market Place when her pink purse, which had £150 and a sentimental photograph, was stolen out of her zipped-up handbag on Thursday (21) last week.

She had just taken the money out from Nationwide Building Society and believes she may have been targeted as the building has large windows.

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“The money was safe in my purse,” she said. “I zipped up my bag and went over to Shaw Trust. I didn’t buy anything I was just looking around.

“I noticed some young girls who had a pile of clothes on their arms, they came near to me but I didn’t think anything of it as it was a small shop.

Wantage Market Place. Picture by Ed Nix. (Image: Ed Nix)

“But as I left I noticed my bag was opened and my purse was gone. I think they were using their clothes to hide it – a slight of hand trick.”

Mrs King, who lost her husband in February, was devastated as she was carrying an old picture of her son when he was 18 months old that her partner used to carry in his wallet.

“The picture is thing I miss,” she said. “If they just gave the photograph back that would be lovely.”

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The widow decided to return to Nationwide Building Society who allegedly told her she was the second person that had had their purse stolen that day.

She said: “My theory is, and I’m pretty convinced I’m right, is that people were looking at me in Nationwide and seeing me take money out and then called someone situated in the area who targeted me because of my age.

“I felt safe in the Nationwide Building so I did complain but they said they had taken every care to keep me safe.

“I wasn’t happy about it as my bag was secure and I’m disappointed. I was completely shocked, I felt I did everything right by zipping it all up.

She believes her purse was taken while she was in Shaw Trust (Google Maps)

“I feel people ought to be aware of this happening and it’ll only get worse with Barclays closing in October as more people will used the Building Society.”

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After hearing about the incident, Mrs King’s hairdresser, Jessica Finnegan of Headmaster Salon in Church Street, put a plea out on Facebook to help raise Mrs King’s money back.

A total of £100 was donated as well as a free haircut and a box of chocolates. “It was so lovely,” said Mrs King. “I know have bells on my purse and my bag now.”

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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