A PENSIONER'S handbag was stolen and her bank card used to buy items in city centre shops yesterday.

The 72-year-old was inside Salisbury Cathedral at around 9am when her bag containing cash, cards, keys, make-up and other items, was taken.

Enquiries revealed that the stolen card had been used to make purchases at local shops.

Initial CCTV enquiries identified a suspect who was quickly found, and the stolen items were recovered.

Inspector Pete Sparrow of Salisbury police said: “A woman aged in her 40s is currently helping police with their enquiries.

"I’d like to thank Salisbury City Council and their cleaning contractors who assisted our team to search and then recover the handbag which had been dumped in a waste bin, allowing us to return the property to the grateful owner.

“This is a fine example of quick policing work alongside partner agencies which led to a suspect being identified.”