A thief asked a woman the time, then snatched her handbag as she tried to help him.
He struck in Colchester's Upper Castle Park at about 3.45pm yesterday as the victim was sitting on a bench.
The man walked up to her, asked what time it was and when she reached into her bag to look at her watch he grabbed it and ran off, jumping over a wall to escape.
Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester CID, said: "I would have thought there were probably witnesses to this incident.
"If anybody was in the park at the time we'd like to hear if they saw this man hanging about or whether he approached anybody else."
He warned: "You have to be alert when you are approached by stranger, whatever they are asking."
The bag snatcher was described as white, in his 30s, with fair, sandy hair.
Anyone with information about the theft should call Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously,on 0800 555111
Published Thursday, June 5, 2003
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