THIS is the teenaged purse thief who targeted a pensioner in a town centre charity shop.

Shirley Maughan, 18, from East Park Road, Blackburn, appeared before Blackburn magistrates where she pleaded guilty to theft.

The court heard how Maughan took the elderly lady's purse from her handbag on Saturday from the NCH Children's Charity shop, New Market Street, in Blackburn town centre.

She asked for two similar purse thefts that occurred about the same time to be taken into account.

Police said Maughan, who was released on bail for sentencing next month, targeted elderly people. Magistrates warned her that a custodial sentence was 'an option.'

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smith said her arrest and charge was testament to the police's pledge to crack down on street crime as part of the county-wide safer streets initiative.

He said: "This proves that we are not being complacent on street crimes. One robbery is one too many and we will relentlessly pursue those that target vulnerable people."

And he advised people to make life hard for thieves.

He said: "People should keep their bags zipped up and close to them. They should only carry the necessary amount of cash they need and report any crime immediately."