A PENSIONER has shared her disgust after £2,500 was stolen from her handbag when she was sitting on a town centre bench.

Susan Gott planned to use the money to set up a new savings account, but it was taken from her in Shipley town centre before she was able to deposit it.

The 78-year-old withdrew the money at the Shipley branch of the Halifax in Market Square, intending to use it to open a new joint account with nearby Santander.

Inbetween visiting the two banks, she rested for ten minutes on a bench and the money, which was in a brown envelope in her handbag, was taken.

"It was a beautiful day, so I went and sat on a bench across the road from the bank, but when I got to the Santander branch to open a new account, the envelope had gone.

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"We can only think that someone saw how much money I had taken out and followed me, but I didn't feel anyone trying to get in my handbag," she said.

Mrs Gott, who lives in Saltaire, immediately returned to the Halifax and reported the crime to police over the phone.

She later discovered the bench she sat on is not covered by the town's CCTV cameras.

"I'm absolutely disgusted that the cameras don't cover where I was sat. There are so many elderly people that use those benches in Market Square, I don't want to see this happen to anyone else," she said.

Mrs Gott's son, Paul Thompson, runs Butterfly's Florists in Kirkgate with wife Vanessa. He said the incident was absolutely shocking and an expensive lesson to learn.

He said: "She wanted to open a new bank account with both her and Vanessa's names on in case she was ill and we needed to pay a bill or something.

"She took out the maximum that you can over the counter and was careful to put it in an envelope at the bottom of her bag underneath her purse and passport.

"I've told her it's gone for good and we will just have to learn a lesson from it, but it's an expensive lesson to learn."

He said he was unsure if the Halifax had checked its own CCTV for potential suspects.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "Police have carried out detailed enquiries to try and identify the suspect in this incident of theft, which is believed to have occurred in Market Square, Shipley between 12.22pm and 1pm on Friday, June 12.

"Officers have informed the victim that all possible lines of enquiry have been pursued at this time, but would like anyone who might have information to contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."