Two women who are alleged to have stolen a wallet from an elderly man's pocket may have also stolen a purse from the handbag of an elderly woman.

Police asked for help in identifying two women after an 89-year-old man had his wallet stolen out of his pocket in Preston.

In the first incident the elderly victim had his wallet stolen out of his pocket after he had gone into Novellos Clothing in Fishergate, Preston, to wish the staff a Merry Christmas.

The incident happened on Tuesday, December 20, at around 11am.

 The second theft happened the same afternoon when an 85-year-old woman had her purse stolen from her handbag in Stringers Dept store in Lytham

PC Danielle Lilley said: “These crimes are despicable and callous acts of theft from elderly victims and I would urge anyone who knows these women or who has any information to get in touch.”

 Email 2456@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 420 of December 20, 2022.