A THIEF ran off with a handbag containing £74 worth of goods, from a 15-year-old girl, walking near the library in Calne.

The bag was discovered minutes later in the car park of The Pippin, after being stolen at 3.40pm on Tuesday. It contained £74 worth of goods, £72 of which were recovered. The girl was at the junction of Mill Street and Church Street when the theft took place.

PC Andy Fortune, of Chippenham police, said the man approached the girl from behind, snatched the bag and ran off towards the library.

He is described as white, about 5ft 5ins tall, slim build, wearing a white jumper with a black and purple puffer jacket.

The man was also wearing dirty Reebok tracksuit bottoms and dirty Adidas trainers, with holes in the soles.

Anyone with information is urged to call Calne police on (01249) 812106.