A THIEF stole a handbag from a woman’s shopping trolley.

The 36-year-old victim was in the Tesco store between 5 and 6pm on Wednesday when the green leather handbag was lifted from her trolley.

A youth was later spotted rifling through it at the back of the store.

He is 18, white and was dressed in black.

Someone was so suspicious they challenged him, but he claimed it was his mother’s.

Only later was it realised it had been stolen from the woman.

Det Con Russ Conlon, of Kirklees CID intelligence unit, said: “Never put handbags or shoulder bags across shopping trolleys as thieves can snatch them in seconds.

“Always make sure purses are in zipped-up inside pockets.’’