Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman had her bag stolen in Witney.

At 8.15pm on Wednesday, a woman was sitting in her car in the car park by Pirate Fitness Studio, just off Bridge Street, waiting for her daughter to finish a dance class when a man walked past her car talking on a mobile phone.

A few moments later he walked past the vehicle again and then opened the front passenger door and stole the handbag that was on the seat.

PC Phil Marstin said: “The woman didn’t see which direction the man went but he could have run out on to Bridge Street or through the new Aquarius development towards Witan Way.

“This is a very unusual crime for Witney as the woman would have been clearly visible in her car and there were other people around at the time who could have seen this happen.

“I appeal to anyone who might have seen this man, or have any information to help with my investigation to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information should contact PC Marstin at Witney police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don’t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.