DISTRACTION thieves who targeted a Swindon pensioner got more than they bargained for when she gave chase.

Wendy Lee managed to recover her stolen debit cards after chasing two thieves across a supermarket car park.

The 69-year-old, of Shrivenham Road, was sitting in the back seat of her disabled husband’s unlocked car which was park outside Tesco in Ocotal Way at around 3.30pm on February 19 when she became the victim of a distraction theft.

As she waited for husband John, 76, to return their trolley, an olive-skinned woman, believed to be Eastern European, opened the door nearest her and began asking her about doctor’s notes she had in a notebook.

Wendy then had her head clasped in the culprit’s hands and her vision obscured, while an accomplice rifled through her purse through the opposite door.

As Wendy heard what was going on, she shouted at the second woman to drop the purse and after they made their getaway, the retired cleaner found her debit card was missing.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Wendy was out of the car and sprinting after them, across the car park, in the direction of Colbourne Street.

“While I was waiting for John they have seen us in the disabled bay and thought ‘a disabled person won’t be able to run after me’,” she said.

“When something like that happens, you have sudden impact and you will do anything.

“It’s a good job I was quick enough to check and see my debit card was missing. I ran after them and they did drop it when I shouted.

“The police said this is happening a lot in car parks.”

Despite her age, Wendy refused to allow the women to get away with the crime, and surprised herself with the strength she was able to summon.

“When you’re in a temper you’re capable of anything. To think she had my card. I didn’t want any money going,” she said.

“You just feel really mad. To think these people are going around doing this. This is life today.

“You are a bit overwhelmed. I didn’t expect what I did. You are surprised what you can do when get a sudden go in you.”

Wendy, a keen walker who doesn’t drive, said the incident was all the more ironic as the couple had moved their weekly shopping day from Friday to Thursday on this one occasion.

Wiltshire Police are now hunting the thieves and is appealing for anyone who may have seen the incident on the car park to contact PC Luke Atkinson on 101, or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.