A THIEF snatched £100 from a 80-year-old woman’s purse after she took pity on him.

The clean shaven man with a foreign accent asked the woman if she could give him some change.

When she got out her purse, he distracted her and snatched five £20 notes from her. Then he drove off in a dirty pick up style vehicle.

Police Constable Lindsey Midgley, of the Thirsk Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This is an utterly despicable offence against a vulnerable member of our community.

Anyone who witnessed the incident near the junction of Front Street and Back Lane in Thirsk at midday yesterday (Tues) or knows anything about it should contact PC Midgley at Thirsk Police Station on 0845 60 60 24 7 quoting reference number 12110093256, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.