Thieves distracted a shopper before grabbing her purse and stealing hundreds of pounds in cash.

The woman was in Waitrose car park, Wallingford Street, in Wantage, at about 1.55pm yesterday when she was approached by a man who asked her directions to Dover.

While she was speaking to him a thief stole her purse from her handbag, which was in the shopping trolley.

As she walked towards the police station she saw a man acting suspiciously near to a Nationwide cashpoint in Market Place.

She realised he was using her bank card and grabbed it back, but the thief ran off with £300 cash withdrawn from her account.

A passer-by gave chase but was unable to catch him.

The first man is described as white, in his 50s, about 5ft 8in tall and well built.

He had dark, short hair, was wearing a red coat and spoke with what is thought to be a Polish accent.

The man spotted with the bank card was white, slightly younger than the other man and around 6ft tall.

He was said to be slim, with unkempt hair and glasses and wearing dark jeans with sleeveless black coat.

PC Jon Bodinham said: "I am keen to speak to the man who chased the thief and would appeal for him to contact me.

"I would also ask anybody who may have seen these men or have any information to help with my investigation to please get in touch."

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.