A NEWPORT businesswoman had her handbag and phone stolen while she was at work, with the thief withdrawing £1,000 from her account.

The theft happened at Heaven Sent day spa on Clytha Park Road.

Police would like to speak to a man seen on CCTV walking in to the day spa shortly after 10am on Tuesday.

Trish Fulford, who runs the spa, told the Argus the person responsible for the theft must have been in the building for less than 60 seconds and took a designer purse and a mobile phone froma handbag behind reception, which was not manned. Within 20 minutes the person had accessed a note stored on the phone which contained the business account PIN number, and withdrew£1,000 fromfour different banks.

The salon was targeted by thieves three weeks ago who took plants. Mrs Fulford said she and a colleague were in the nail studio at the back of the building because they were not expecting clients, but had line of sight to reception.

The spa, which has been open for almost four years, is currently undergoing a major refurbishment before a relaunch on August 1.

The man seen on CCTV is described as being around 5’10”, with short dark hair and was wearing black and white trainers, jeans and a red and green jacket which formed a ‘v’ on the back, made from shell suit material.

Gwent Police are keen to speak to the man pictured in connection with the theft.

Anyone with information is asked to call Gwent Police on 101, quoting log 122 02/07/13, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.