An epileptic woman was robbed as she had a fit and collapsed in a busy town centre car park.

As stricken Tracie Faulkner lay paralysed on the ground just yards from Basildon police station, a callous thief made off with her handbag containing £190.

Not a single person in the busy Great Oaks multi-storey car park came to her rescue.

Tracie, who has only recently moved to the town, was left to recover and find a cab home. She said today she was now too scared to go out alone.

The 33-year-old, who lived in Walthamstow, London, until last week said: "I cannot believe the difference - this would never have happened in Walthamstow and that's in the middle of London.

"I can't remember much but I was out for about ten minutes. When I came to I had cut my face, arms and legs and my bag had been emptied.

"I just feel terrible. I don't want to go out on my own anymore. I'm petrified."

Cheralyn Clulow, a helper who works with Tracie and her illness, said: "I just cannot believe someone would be this callous. "They've abused the fact she was unconscious and robbed her."

Tracie, from Laindon, collapsed in the car park on Friday after cashing a £190 social security cheque.

Anti-epilepsy and Valium tablets which were in the bag were also taken in the theft, at around midday on Friday last week.

Ms Clulow added: "She woke up with a smashed up face from the fit, yet no one showed any interest in her or helping her when she collapsed - it's unbelievable."

PC Dave Smith of Basildon police said: "It would have been busy in the car park at this time of day so someone must have seen something."

Anyone with information should contact Basildon police on 01268 532212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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