Brave mum tries to stop getaway car (From Stroud News and Journal)

Brave mum tries to stop getaway car

A WOMAN tried to throw herself on the bonnet of a getaway car in an attempt to stop a thief who snatched her bag in Tesco's car park on Tuesday afternoon.

The plucky young mum was left badly shaken and very upset after the incident which took place at the Stratford Road store.

She had just finished loading her shopping into her car and was putting her baby into the rear seat when a man grabbed her bag containing credit cards, keys and cash.

He ran to a nearby maroon coloured car and started to drive off. The woman challenged him but failed to make him stop.

The car, which had been stolen from the Bristol area, was later found abandoned at Salmon Springs.

Some of the woman's belongings including a rucksack, purse and child benefit book were recovered.

police dealing with the case commended her bravery but warned the public not to challenge potentially dangerous criminals.

Sgt Mike Yhnell of Stroud police said: "While this woman is to be commended for her bravery, it is not worth putting yourself in danger for a few credit cards."

The incident dangerously echoed a similar bag snatch in London last year where a woman was killed as she attempted to halt a getaway vehicle.

Costume designer Elizabeth Sherlock died outside Euston Station on Easter Monday, 2001 after trying to stop a car driven by drug addict Mark Woolley who had stolen her handbag.

Anyone with information about the Stroud incident should contact police on 0845 090 1234.

* On the same day a shopper at Stroud's Iceland shop in Union Street had her purse stolen from her handbag. It was made of brown leather and contained credit and debit cards.