Video appeal after purse stolen from 86-year-old

A pensioner has released a plea online to get her purse back - after it was taken while she was out shopping.

Pauline Walker, 86, from near Coalville, was out shopping in Coalville, Leicester on Saturday (February 8) when she says it was taken.

After having her tea and shortbread, she says she went to have a look in another shop.

However, when she went into her trolley to find her purse, she realised it had gone.

She said: "In the cafe was the only time I left it alone, so it must have been taken then."

Pauline initially thought she had left it somewhere, but says she later discovered that her bank found some unusual transactions on the card.

Her bank have now refunded all of these transactions.

Pauline says she wants her purse back for sentimentality - as she has items like a little notebook with all of her children's phone numbers in, and a piece of paper listing all the medications she can't take in her purse.

Pauline also says she is struggling to sleep following the incident.

She said: "It's really upset me. It's horrible. When you are 86 you don't get over things like this."

Pauline has a popular Instagram account with her husband Geoffrey, 89, which more than 100,000 followers.

Following the theft of her purse, Geoffrey posted a video appeal on their account for information about the incident.

The couple have said that following the video being posted, they have had offers of gifts and money, but have declined them.

They also say they have not reported the incident to Leicestershire Police, because they say they just want to "move on" from it.

Pauline said: "It's very nice to have all that support. Everybody on Instagram says they love me and my husband."

"This just shows there are some good people in the world, as well as some wicked ones."

Read more: