POLICE say a woman captured on CCTV around the time two mobile phones were stolen in Colchester was an innocent bystander.

The thefts took place on December 30 in shops on Lion Walk in the town centre.

A woman contacted Colchester police after her photo was released earlier this week.

A police spokesman said: “Officers are now satisfied that the woman was an innocent bystander.

“She played no part in either theft and police are happy to clarify the situation.”