How low can you get? (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

How low can you get?

The picture police have released in their bid to find a woman who tried to rob a wheelchair-bound man in a charity shopSWINDON police have released an artist's impression of a woman they want to interview in connection with what they describe as a reprehensible crime.

The woman attempted to steal a wheelchair-bound man's bag while he was browsing in a charity shop.

The manager of the shop in Havelock Square says that thieves regularly target the shop.

The incident happened at the Shaw Trust charity shop on Friday, July 1 at about 2pm, but police only released details yesterday.

Police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "While browsing in the shop, the gentleman was approached by a female with clothes draped over her arm.

"She leaned across the wheelchair on the pretext of reaching for something else.

"It is alleged that she then attempted to reach inside the victim's bag.

"However, he was quick to notice her actions and challenged her. She then left the shop."

Police say the woman is around 25, about 5ft 8in, and slim. She is olive skinned, with an oval shaped face and long black hair.

Ms Kumar said: "To steal or attempt to steal is reprehensible but it is particularly so when the victim is a wheelchair bound shopper, browsing in a charity shop.

"How anyone can stoop so low is beyond belief. The gentleman, understandably, was shocked by the suspect's ploy."

Carol Fordham, manager of the shop, said: "I think it's disgusting, but it does go on quite a lot.

"The amount of thefts is quite appalling. We have had customers who have had their purses pinched in the shop.

"Our customers are vulnerable because they don't really think about it.

"They have generally been shopping and they put their bags down.

"And the older ladies tend not to do their bags up.

"We'd like the people who do this to be caught, but sometimes there's nobody around to deal with it."

Anyone with any information should contact PC Louis McCoy of Swindon police on 01793 528111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Dave Andrew