RUTHLESS pickpockets are thought to have stolen a pensioner s purse while shop staff failed to call police or offer a phone call, the victim s daughter claims. Sheila Deeble, 74, of Bellfarm Avenue, Dagenham, had just collected her pension from Oxlow Lane

RUTHLESS pickpockets are thought to have stolen a pensioner's purse while shop staff failed to call police or offer a phone call, the victim's daughter claims.

Sheila Deeble, 74, of Bellfarm Avenue, Dagenham, had just collected her pension from Oxlow Lane post office when she entered a McColls convenience store last Tuesday afternoon (July 29).

Inside the shop, four women crowded around her as she was reaching for some rolls in the bread and cake section.

Mrs Deeble, who needs a mobility scooter to get around, said: "I was leaning over to get to the rolls and cakes.

"They were leaning as well but they didn't buy anything."

She said that the women had just disappeared when she suddenly noticed that her purse was missing.

It contained a wedding picture of her and her husband, who passed away six years ago, and a whole week's pension.

The employee then allegedly checked the CCTV images but could not find anything as the bread section was not covered by CCTV.

Mrs Deeble said: "I was all shook up and put the rolls and cakes back on the self because I could not pay for them."

Her daughter, Shirley O'Riordan, said: "She was absolutely devastated.

"I'm disgusted with the way staff treated my mum.

"She should have been offered to phone a member of the family but there was no care there.

"They didn't even call the police."

Mrs Deeble then made her way to her sister's house on her scooter, where they called the police to report the incident.

A spokesperson for Martin McColls convenience stores did not wish to make a comment because the matter was under police investigation.

The police confirmed that the incident had been reported and that it was under investigation.

No arrests had been made.