PICKPOCKETS stole a youngster’s new phone just four days after she got it for Christmas.

Jade De’Ath, 12, was shopping with friends and family in Colchester town centre when the theft happened shortly after 5pm yesterday.

It is thought the pickpocket struck after bumping into Jade causing her to drop her bag in Culver Square. While Jade, from Armoury Road, West Bergholt, was picking it up and checking nothing had fallen out the red Blackberry 9320 was taken from her pocket.

The St Helena pupil noticed her phone, her main Christmas present, was missing a few minutes later when she went to make a call. She also had some Christmas money in the case.

  • Anyone with information should contact investigators at Colchester police station on 101.