A woman who claims that her purse was stolen by a pensioner in a Swindon shop has had her property returned soaking wet without the money inside.

Charissa Livingstone was shopping in the Simply Local store on Moredon Road at around 10am on Sunday, April 30, when an elderly woman allegedly took her purse.

The Moredon resident was shown CCTV footage by the shop that showed the women taking the purse from the counter, quickly switching it with her own.

Inside Charissa’s purse was £150 in notes as well as sentimental items such as letters from her eight-year-old son Sidney.

The purse was returned to the shop on Wednesday by the elderly woman but it did not contain Charissa’s money or items.

Swindon Advertiser: The young mother had her purse stolen in the Simply Local shop in Moredon on Sunday.

“The shop owner gave me back my purse but it was soaking wet and that was really weird. None of the cash notes were in it of the original £150 but there was £6 in change,” said Charissa.

“This is strange because I had no change in the purse when it was stolen and I know that the notes were taken because within the cash there was a hand written note from my son which was also missing.

“I don’t know what it was wet and the paperchase rewards card which was placed back into the purse was damp with the ink smudged.”

The 24-year-old did not speak to the woman directly but was informed by the shop about the reason given as to why the pensioner took the purse.

“The cashier told me that the woman came in, handed her the purse and said that she had no idea she had taken the purse and said that she was going to hand it in but I just put it in my bag,” said Charissa.

Swindon Advertiser: Charissa had several sentimental items in her purse from her son Sidney.Charissa had several sentimental items in her purse from her son Sidney. (Image: Charissa Livingstone)

“I don’t know how long she was planning it and I am just really angry.”

The effect on Charissa’s family is monumental as the £150 made up the majority of the young mum’s savings.

“That was everything I had financially and having it stolen has left me feeling heartbroken and drained,” she said.

“I am struggling to make ends meet and this has made it even harder.

“I feel a lot less safe than I did before because I go to these shops daily and now I am a lot more cautious.”

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “We are investigating following a report of the theft of a purse from a store in Moredon on April 30.

“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”