A WOMAN was robbed while she sat in her car, by a thief who smashed a window with a brick.

The woman was in her car at Ringway House, in Preston town centre, at around 2.50pm on Thursday, March 7, when she was approached by a man asking for the time.

The victim locked her car door, but he returned with a brick, smashed a window, and reached in to steal a black handbag containing £150 and a black Siemen's mobile phone worth £210.

The thief ran off in the direction of the bus station, and the handbag was later found in the men's toilets there.

He was around 5ft 9ins tall, with fair hair, and was wearing a cream top and dark pants.

Detective Inspector Pat Gill of Preston police said: "This was obviously quite traumatic for this lady at that time of day. The bus station would have been very busy as well, so we are appealing for any witnesses."

Anybody who can help should call Preston police on 203203.