DESPICABLE thieves have stolen a large amount of cash from an elderly lady as she travelled on a bus.

The 86-year-old victim had gone into the town centre and withdrew £1,000 in cash to buy Christmas presents yesterday afternoon, Thursday.

She was watched in the bank by a group of three women through the window, who then followed her to the bus station and got the same number two bus.

One of the lowlives distracted her while another removed the envelope from her handbag in her walking trolley and then got off the bus at the next stop.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the disgraceful incident, while the victim’s family have set up an online donations page after people asked how they could help out.

They said: “She is shaken up, has lost all trust in people, does not want to go out of the house and will not go out alone now due to being scared.

“We feel absolutely disgusted that some people could do something like this to an old lady.

“We set up a GoFundMe page as people have been asking if they could send a donation to help get some of the money back for her.

“She is the loveliest lady and will do anything she can to help anyone out.”

If you would like to donate, visit https://gofund.me/a43cc5df

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “At 3.52pm on Thursday, November 16, police were called to reports of a high-value theft in Warrington.

“The caller reported that three women had stolen a large amount of cash from an 86-year-old woman who was travelling on the number two Latchford bus.

“The women are believed to have distracted the victim after following her onto the bus.

“The investigation is in its early stages and enquiries are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this time.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 1692502, or visit cheshire.police.uk/tell-us