Mum's fury after Meadowhall thief stole handbag containing sentimental ring and watch then dumped it in men's toilets

Elizabeth Cookson says she was on the bus home from a spot of last-minute Christmas shopping at the centre last night (Tuesday, December 22) when she realised her handbag was missing.

The 25-year-old rushed back to the customer service desk at the Interchange to enquire if her handbag had been handed in.

It turned out it had after being found dumped in the men’s toilets, but later on Ms Cookson discovered there were items missing- a ring and a £200 Samsung watch, both of sentimental value.

The mum-of-one, from Chesterfield, claims she was told by police there wasn’t much they could do in terms of getting the items back.

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She said: “It’s made me think twice about going to Meadowhall or even shopping again. I don’t know how some people sleep at night.

"While I was at the centre I bought a Build-A-Bear teddy for my daughter and I’m just glad that wasn’t stolen too as it would have sent me over the edge.

"Maybe someone will know what happened to the items. I even went to the CEX shop in Sheffield to see if anyone had tried selling the watch on.”

Ms Cookson, who suffers from epilepsy, is reaching out to the public in the hope that someone might be able to reunite her with the precious items.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 14/187/096/20.

We have contacted Meadowhall for comment.

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