Police are hunting three women after a distraction theft in the city.

That Design Store in Market Place was targeted at around 1pm yesterday with around £1,000 of goods taken.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said two of the women spoke to a member of staff while another put items in a pushchair – including kettles, a bowl and a candle worth £150.

Co-owner Oliver Zissman said: “It’s very sad that people steal in the first place, let alone use their babies and prams as cover.

“Having spoken to the police, there doesn’t seem much they can do, despite the fact we weren’t the only store they stole from and there being CCTV in the town centre.

"Thank you for the continued support from the great people of St. Albans. We’ll catch them next time, that's a promise.”

One of the woman is described as being in her early to mid 40s with very long red hair and she was wearing a black jacket.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting F1/15/641.