8:48am Friday 30th May 2008
IT was meant to be a perfect day out for six-year-old Eloise Stepp.
After being given £40 for her birthday, Eloise, her mum Emma, and grandmother Pat Winning, planned a shopping trip at Greenbridge on Sunday.
Eloise, of Highworth, who loves dressing up, was hoping to buy herself an outfit in Matalan and was trying on a pair of flip-flops when she left her handbag she had decorated herself next to the fitting area.
The family continued shopping and, a little while later, realised she had left the bag behind. After dashing back the shoe section at the shop, the family found the bag, but Eloise's birthday money was gone.
"Her bag was there. Her Tamagotchi toy was in it, but the money was gone," said Pat.
"We asked the shop assistant if they had CCTV and they had a look at it.
"You could see two little girls go over to the bag, then two adults were called over, then they all took the money.
"This is absolutely appalling behaviour by anyone, but for adults to do this in front of little kids is disgusting.
"My granddaughter turned to me and said they couldn't be a very nice to do that'.
"The whole time we were shopping Eloise wanted to buy things for everyone else. She wanted to buy a DVD for her sister and something for her mum, but my daughter had to say to her No, that's your birthday money, you have to spend it on yourself.' "All she was thinking about was everyone else and then this happens. You could clearly see it was a child's bag, but that didn't stop them."
Emma said that Eloise had decorated the denim handbag herself from a special kit.
"It was obviously a kid's bag," said the shocked mum-of-three.
"Her sisters didn't want to come shopping so it was going to be a special day for Eloise, just the three of us.
"She wanted to buy herself little outfits.
"We really want to thank everyone at Matalan. The staff were fantastic, very helpful.
"Straight away they looked at the CCTV and found it was a family. We couldn't believe it."
Police spokesman Martin Dunscombe said: "Police were called at 2.45pm on Sunday to reports of a theft at the Matalan store.
"Money had been taken whilst somebody was in the store and police are investigating.
"We are currently looking at CCTV taken in the store."
Do you know who was responsible for stealing Eloise's birthday money? If you do, contact the Advertiser's newsroom on 01793 501800.
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