The Borehamwood community have rallied together to support a grieving elderly woman who was targeted by thieves.

A woman in her 80s had her handbag snatched from her vehicle after she’d been shopping at Aldi in Borehamwood Shopping Park.

Police received a report  on Monday that while the woman was putting her supermarket trolley away, her handbag containing her purse, cash, and house keys was taken from her car.

It was particularly upsetting for the woman because it was the first time she’d been out since her husband died two weeks ago.

Ian and Anna Hobey were out shopping at the time when they noticed the woman distraught near the shops.

They asked if she was okay and she managed to explain what had happened.

The Hobey’s made enquiries with the shopping park’s management before taking the woman home.

They managed to get into her home after discovering spare keys which had been previously hidden by the woman’s late husband.

Afterwards, the Hobey’s decided to set up a fundraising page to help support the woman.

They set a target of £1,000 to help cover the loss of cash, buy a new bag and purse, and change the locks on her home, as well as have a bit of extra money to get back on her feet.

Less than 24 hours later and following a social media appeal, the Go Fund Me page has raised nearly £1,500 with more than 120 people donating.

Mr Hobey said: "We thought it would be a good idea to help get her some money. The speed of the response from everybody has been incredible.

"When we told her today about the money raised, the woman broke down. She didn’t know how to thank everybody."

Police are investigating the theft.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Police were contacted following a theft in Borehamwood shopping park, at around 2.45pm on Monday October 5.

"An elderly woman had placed her handbag on the driver’s seat of her vehicle while she unloaded and returned her shopping trolley.

"When she returned to the vehicle, the bag had been stolen.

"Enquiries are continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact police, quoting crime reference 41/80045/20."