Police hunt for 'despicable' thief who stole from woman suffering epileptic fit in shopping centre

The woman realised money had been taken after she recovered from her fit

The suspect is believed to be in her 30s or 40s (West Midlands Police)

Police are searching for a thief who took cash from an epileptic woman as she was suffering a seizure on a supermarket floor.

The woman, 48, was shopping in Stourbridge in the West Midlands when she collapsed and began to have a violent fit.

While a number of passers-by rushed to her assistance, an opportunistic thief took was able to reach into the woman’s handbag and take £60 in cash, police have said.

Dudley Police have released a CCTV image of the suspect, who was observed moving towards the woman’s shopping trolley before quickly exiting the market.

Detective Inspector Nigel Smith, said: "It’s a truly despicable crime…the lady is clearly in great distress on the floor and, while most people’s immediate concern is for her wellbeing, one person sees it as an opportunity to steal from her.

"We’ve secured a CCTV image of a woman we need to speak to about the theft. She is one of around 12 people who were stood near the lady but is seen to quickly leave having put her hand on the shopping trolley.

"We’d urge anyone who believes they recognise the person in the CCTV to contact us."

The woman’s seizure lasted for 20 minutes and she has made a full recovery, but when she later looked in her handbag she realised money had been taken.

Police described the suspect as white, in her 30s or 40s, about 5ft 5in tall and with long dark hair that was tied in a ponytail.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of 7 April in the town’s Ryemarket shopping centre.