An 11-year-old girl had her trainers stolen moments after she bought them for her birthday in St Albans.

The girl was shopping in H&M in The Maltings when she put a shoebox containing the Vans on a table as she looked at something in the children's department.

The box was then picked up and taken by another customer in the shop.

Following the incident at around 1.50pm on Tuesday, February 15, police have appealed for help finding the customer.

PC Lee Hammond said: “We are keen to trace this other customer to see if she has the trainers or has handed them in.

"She is described as a white woman, of a large build, with short red hair that was tied up.

"She was wearing a mask and a black coat and she was also carrying a multi-coloured umbrella at the time."

He urged the woman to get in touch and asked anyone with information to also contact police.

"The young girl is especially keen to be reunited with the trainers as they were a birthday present," he added.

“I would also like to hear from anyone else who might have information about the trainers.

"They were in an orange/red coloured box and are a children’s size 5."