POLICE have warned residents to be vigilant after a woman’s purse was stolen in a distraction theft.

The woman, aged in her seventies, was walking home from shopping, in Ipswich Road, when crook hit at about 1.35pm on Friday, February 21.

Her red designer Radley purse was taken, which had about £50 in it.

The suspect is a white man, aged in his thirties, and had short dark hair and stubble.

Anyone with information should call PC Hayley Langmead at Colchester police station on 101.