‘CALLOUS’ and ‘heartless’ thieves followed a woman who had just collected her pension and winter fuel payment and stole £540.

Police have released images of two people they wish to speak to, following the theft from a 71-year-old woman in Darwen.

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The incident happened after the woman had withdrawn money from the Post Office in Church Street.

She had put it in an envelope and placed it in her handbag, before walking further along to McColl’s Convenience Store, also in Church Street.

She was followed by two women as far as the store, who positioned themselves either side of her.

Lancashire Telegraph:

One of the women is then said to have bumped into the pensioner, while the other stole the envelope from her handbag. The women then walked off.

The victim was left shaken following the incident, which happened between 11.20am and 11.50am on November 16, but was not physically injured.

Police have now issued a witness appeal and urged anyone with information to come forward.

A police spokesman said: “This was a callous and heartless theft from a vulnerable elderly woman. We want to find whoever is responsible as soon as possible and bring them to justice.”

Cllr Paul Browne, who represents Sudell ward for the Liberal Democrats on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The people who have done this sort of thing are the scum of the earth. It really is appalling.

Lancashire Telegraph:

“I hope someone can come forward and help the police to catch the culprits and put them before the courts.

“I’ve not heard of anything like this happening, in broad daylight in the middle of the town centre, in all the years that I’ve lived in Darwen.

“It is absolutely disgusting and you just don’t think of that sort of thing happening around here.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime number ED1515624.

Alternatively, anyone with details about the incident can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.