POLICE have released CCTV images of people suspected of stealing £10,000 from a woman in a Winchester car park.

The distraction theft took place in The Brooks Shopping Centre car park between 1.40pm and 1.50pm on Wednesday, May 22.

A 59-year-old woman had withdrawn the cash in £50 notes from NatWest Bank in the High Street and placed it in a zipped-up bag before returning to her car.

After getting in the vehicle she placed the bag on the front passenger seat. A woman then tapped on her window and gestured she had dropped something.

The victim opened the door and saw cash on the ground but while she was distracted other offenders gained access to the passenger side and took the bag, which also contained her passport.

PC Sam Hawkes said: “We have CCTV images of three people who were seen in the bank at the same time as this woman and who were seen acting suspiciously. The same people were also seen the car park at the same time as the victim.

“This incident has left the victim extremely distressed and she is shocked to have had such a large amount of money stolen.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Hawkes at Winchester Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.