Police are appealing for witnesses to trace an unknown female who attempted to steal a shopper’s handbag in Honiton yesterday.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman tried to steal a shopper’s handbag in Honiton yesterday.

The incident occurred in New Street outside the Lloyds TSB bank yesterday (Monday, January 17) and was reported to police at 7pm.

The female shopper involved reported that she had felt her bag being touched and pushed away the female perpetrator before running across the road to get away.

The perpetrator involved is described as white, 5ft5, skinny build with straggly red hair and is thought to be between 30 to 45 years of age.

Enquiries are ongoing and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward by calling Crimestoppers on 0800555111 or police on 08452777444 quoting 76217/1/2011.