A purse belonging to a 90-year-old woman has been stolen from a shopping centre in Erith.

The elderly lady had accidentally left her handbag on a bench after she had been to the bank - and within seconds it was pinched.

Police said there was a lot of money in the purse and the alleged thief made no effort to alert the lady who was still nearby.

CCTV footage has been released of the suspect which showed him in the area a short while later.

He can be seen clearly at the end of the footage.

The incident happened in Riverside Shopping Centre in Pier Road on Tuesday, July 25.

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.