A BLACKBURN mother was left penniless after cruel thieves stole her handbag while she was treating her two children to a day out at the park.

Louise Dean was distraught after returning to her car on West Park Road to find thieves had broken in and stolen her handbag.

Miss Dean says police told her the area around Corporation Park was notorious for such incidents and yesterday she asked the Citizen to put people on their guard.

Her handbag contained all her credit cards, house keys, driving licence and a substantial amount of money.

She now fears she is being watched because the thieves know where she lives: "I know I was foolish to leave my belongings in the car, but I thought that because it was near the park it would be safe.

"Everything was taken. My two children were crying because they were hungry and we had no way of getting home.

"It was a horrible experience and I wouldn't want anyone else to go through it."

She added: "I've lived in Blackburn for 20 years and know the problem areas. I thought this area was safe. I was wrong."

A police spokesman said: "Car crime is a major problem in most towns. If any belongings have to be left in a car we would advise people to make sure they put them out of sight."

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