THE low levels to which criminals are willing to sink has been demonstrated by the theft of church volunteer Mary Robinson’s handbag.

Each Sunday, Mary welcomes the congregation to Sacred Heart RC Church in Blackburn and hands out hymn books.

But this week she was approached by two conmen who used a young girl to distract her from her usual activities.

She was asked before mass to show some 75p religious rings to the youngster, who was only around five years old, and as she did so her bag was taken.

The pensioner has described the scam as an ‘age-old trick’ and said the thieves were ‘dishonest low-life’ for using a child as an innocent decoy to commit a crime.

But what she is particularly upset about is the fact that the theft took place in her church.

Now she is warning other churchgoers to be on their guard.

It is a sad day when people cannot come together to celebrate their belief in God without the fear of their possessions being stolen.

But unfortunately some people will take advantage of others whatever the circumstances.

Let us hope that the police are able to quickly apprehend these men to prevent them from stealing again.